Another Four-Star Prospect Walks Away From Ohio State Football, Fueling Doubts About Recruiting Direction and Program’s National Standing
Another day, another high-profile miss for Ohio State football — and this time, it stings more than usual. A four-star recruit, long viewed as a cornerstone of the Buckeyes’ future, has left the program in the dust, opting instead to commit to a national rival. For a program that once treated four-star pledges as routine, this latest loss isn’t just a recruiting L. It’s a warning sign. A clear, loud signal that something is off in Columbus — and everyone in the college football world is beginning to notice.
For years, Ohio State sat comfortably atop the college football recruiting pyramid. The Buckeyes regularly hauled in top-five classes, reeled in five-star talent from coast to coast, and were seen as a default national contender. But lately, things have shifted. Recruiting misses, late flips, and now highly-touted prospects walking away entirely have painted a different picture — one of a program struggling to maintain its elite status in the new era of college football.
The latest blow came when a four-star recruit, once heavily projected to join Ohio State’s 2025 class, made his commitment to another top program official. Despite being courted by the Buckeyes for months — complete with campus visits, extensive staff communication, and a clear positional need — the recruit ultimately chose to go in another direction, leaving Ohio State not just empty-handed, but publicly outplayed. The optics couldn’t be worse, and the implications are even more serious.
This wasn’t a borderline three-star or a late-cycle filler. This was a player with elite upside, a national offer sheet, and positional importance — someone expected to eventually start and possibly star in the Buckeyes’ system. Losing him hurts not only because of the talent, but because it’s part of a broader pattern that’s becoming increasingly familiar: top-tier prospects distancing themselves from Ohio State when the moment of truth arrives.
The reasons behind the recruit’s decision are multilayered, but none of them reflect well on Ohio State’s current trajectory. NIL likely played a factor. The Buckeyes have lagged behind in aggressively selling their name, image, and likeness opportunities to elite talent. While they’ve made strides in building collective infrastructure, the reality is that other programs — particularly in the SEC and even the Big 12 — have mastered the NIL game more quickly and more effectively. In this current recruiting climate, it’s not enough to point to tradition, NFL success, or facilities. Recruits are looking for a complete package — and right now, Ohio State appears to be falling short in that department.
But NIL is only part of the story. Equally concerning is how recruits seem to perceive the overall direction of the program. It wasn’t that long ago that playing for Ohio State meant a chance to win national titles, beat Michigan regularly, and get developed into an early-round NFL Draft pick. But the Buckeyes have lost three straight to Michigan. They haven’t won a national title since 2014. And their grip on Midwest dominance is slipping, with Michigan, Penn State, Notre Dame, and now Oregon making deep inroads with key prospects.
That shifting perception is hard to ignore. And when recruits — especially highly-rated ones — start believing that there are better development, exposure, and success opportunities elsewhere, the recruiting floodgates don’t just crack; they burst open.
There’s also the issue of staff dynamics. While head coach Ryan Day has assembled a capable group of assistants, the recruiting results on the defensive side of the ball have been inconsistent at best. And even on offense, where Ohio State typically thrives, there are signs of regression. Yes, Brian Hartline remains an elite recruiter at wide receiver, and the quarterback room continues to attract blue-chip talent. But elsewhere? The misses are piling up. Offensive line depth is becoming a concern. Tight end recruiting has been shaky. And defensively — particularly at edge and corner — the Buckeyes are struggling to close.
This latest recruiting miss may have come from any position, but it’s part of a wider problem. There is no longer an automatic assumption that Ohio State will lock down top targets, especially when it comes to out-of-region players or contested recruitments. The national brand is still powerful — but it’s no longer unmatched.
Meanwhile, other programs are smelling blood. Georgia and Alabama continue to recruit with ruthless efficiency, poaching prospects from Ohio State’s board with little resistance. Michigan, once considered second tier in recruiting, is now outdueling the Buckeyes for in-state and regional targets. And schools like Texas, Oregon, and Florida State are becoming increasingly aggressive, leveraging NIL, playing time guarantees, and branding opportunities to tilt the scales.
Even the players themselves are voicing it. In interviews and commitment videos, recruits are citing “fit,” “comfort,” and “stability” — words that increasingly are associated with programs other than Ohio State. That’s not a coincidence. That’s a messaging issue, a development concern, and a signal that the staff’s current pitch isn’t resonating like it once did.
And that brings us to Ryan Day. Fair or not, the spotlight is intensifying on the head coach. While Day has won a lot of games, his record in the biggest moments — Michigan, CFP semifinals, national title games — is underwhelming. And in recruiting, where he once appeared poised to take the Urban Meyer model to new heights, the returns are diminishing. There’s still time to turn things around, but the margin for error is shrinking. In a results-driven industry, Day needs to start stacking wins — both on the field and in recruiting battles — or the pressure will mount.
From a roster construction standpoint, this loss forces Ohio State to reassess their 2025 class. Another top target off the board means the Buckeyes must either pivot to secondary options or swing big on late risers and potential flips. Neither approach guarantees success, and both come with risk. More importantly, every time Ohio State misses on a top target, it puts more pressure on the remaining prospects. It’s a domino effect — one that can derail an entire class if not managed carefully.
It also affects future recruiting. High-profile recruits pay attention to who commits where. They talk. They share group chats. When one elite player walks away from Ohio State, others take note — and often follow. That’s how recruiting momentum works. You’re either climbing or falling. And right now, Ohio State is in danger of freefalling from the recruiting elite if these trends continue.
So what’s the solution? It starts with being honest about the problem. Ohio State is not losing recruits simply because other schools are cheating or because kids are “afraid of competition.” That narrative no longer holds water. These are informed, business-savvy athletes making decisions that impact their careers, and right now, Ohio State’s pitch isn’t landing. The Buckeyes must reevaluate their recruiting message, their staff structure, and their approach to NIL.
That means leaning harder into development stories and showing how recent Buckeyes are thriving in the NFL. It means modernizing their recruiting pitch and embracing social media and branding in a more dynamic way. It means empowering NIL collectives to compete with the big boys — not quietly, but loudly and effectively. And it might mean making difficult staffing decisions if recruiting results don’t improve.
There is no silver bullet — but there is a path forward. Ohio State still has the history, the facilities, the fan base, and the media exposure to compete with anyone. But in today’s game, that’s only the starting point. Programs that want to land — and keep — elite talent must evolve. And right now, it’s clear that others have evolved faster than the Buckeyes.
Losing one four-star recruit may not define a program. But losing multiple, in the same cycle, in the same positions of need, absolutely can. This latest defection is not just a bump in the road. It’s part of a larger pattern that threatens to erode everything Ohio State has built over the past two decades. If the Buckeyes want to remain among college football’s elite, they have to change the story — quickly. Because if they don’t, more recruits will leave them in the dust.
