**“BUCKEYE BLOODLINES AND HUNGRY TALENT: Ohio State Welcomes New Walk-Ons Featuring Sons of Former Starters, Two Three-Star Recruits, and Another Member of the Stover Legacy”**

The significance of walk-ons in major college football programs is often underappreciated, yet they frequently become vital contributors—on the field, in practice, and in the locker room culture. For Ohio State, a program steeped in tradition and relentless in its pursuit of national titles, walk-ons must embody more than just athleticism. They must reflect the ethos of the Buckeyes: toughness, selflessness, and an unshakable commitment to the team. The newest group of walk-ons joining Ryan Day’s squad ahead of the 2025 season brings more than just depth; it brings legacy, hidden talent, and a deep-rooted connection to Ohio State football’s storied past. With two sons of former Buckeye starters, a pair of respected three-star recruits, and a new name from the Stover family tree, this class is more than just a group of hopefuls—it’s a living testament to what the program represents.

For the Ohio State coaching staff, walk-ons aren’t treated as charity cases or afterthoughts. They’re evaluated with the same critical eye as scholarship players. That’s what makes this group particularly intriguing. They didn’t arrive merely by name or favor—they arrived because they earned the opportunity. The sons of former Buckeye starters naturally garner attention, but they are walking into the Woody Hayes Athletic Center not as royalty, but as young men looking to prove they belong. The lineage speaks volumes about their football upbringing, but now it’s about carving their own identity amid the high stakes of the Big Ten.

One of those legacies is the son of former Ohio State offensive lineman Rob Murphy, a two-time All-American in the late 1990s. His son, Jackson Murphy, is a walk-on offensive lineman with the kind of build that coaches love to develop: raw but with great size and footwork honed from years of absorbing technique from a father who once dominated trenches in Columbus. For Jackson, this is more than football—it’s about finishing what his father started and doing it the hard way. He’ll battle on the scout team, fight for reps, and embrace the challenge of earning respect through performance rather than pedigree.

Then there’s Marcus Wilhelm, the son of former linebacker Matt Wilhelm, a national champion and defensive cornerstone of the 2002 team. Marcus plays safety—a position built on trust, anticipation, and football IQ. Coming from a family that understands the intricacies of elite defense, he brings a sharp mind and solid fundamentals to the table. While he may not carry the size or star rating of a blue-chip recruit, Marcus exudes the kind of tenacity and accountability that makes walk-ons invaluable. Like his father before him, he’ll be asked to know his assignments inside and out, tackle well in open space, and lead by example even without fanfare.

But this walk-on group isn’t merely about legacy—it’s also about raw talent that, for various reasons, went overlooked in the recruiting cycle. Two three-star recruits have joined the roster as preferred walk-ons, despite having offers from other Division I programs. Their decisions to walk on at Ohio State underscore the program’s magnetic pull and the belief in the long game: that developing within one of the nation’s most competitive environments could yield more opportunities than settling for early playing time elsewhere. These players could have been scholarship athletes at many FBS schools, yet they chose to bet on themselves at Ohio State, prioritizing long-term growth over short-term accolades.

One of them, defensive end Jared Matthews, comes from a powerhouse high school program in northern Ohio. With a relentless motor and impressive lateral quickness, he was a standout in regional camps but just missed the radar of major recruiting services. Coaches love his energy and coachability. His high school tape shows a player who never gives up on a play, who chases down ball carriers from the backside and lives in the offensive backfield. The defensive staff sees him as a perfect fit for the developmental pipeline—a player who could, with time and weight room investment, turn into a contributor on special teams or beyond.

The other three-star walk-on, quarterback Caleb Harris, presents a different kind of intrigue. While the Buckeyes’ scholarship QB room is stacked with talent and potential, Harris brings a cerebral approach and leadership qualities that make him an asset in the quarterback meetings and scout team work. He’s already gaining praise for his quick reads and clean mechanics, and his presence helps maintain the high standard in every rep. As history has shown with walk-on quarterbacks like Baker Mayfield or Stetson Bennett, the line between walk-on and contributor can be much thinner than most realize. Harris is embracing the grind and absorbing everything he can from the coaching staff and upperclassmen.

And then, there’s the newest Stover to join the program, adding yet another layer of meaning to this walk-on class. The Stover name has become synonymous with tough, Ohio-born football players—none more notable than Cade Stover, the former linebacker-turned-tight-end who became a staple of the Buckeyes’ offense. The new Stover on the roster, Lane Stover, plays linebacker and carries the same gritty, blue-collar football DNA. Hailing from the same hometown of Mansfield, Ohio, Lane’s game is built on effort, aggression, and a refusal to back down. Coaches already notice his effort in drills, his discipline in film study, and his vocal leadership, even as a newcomer.

His addition speaks to a broader truth about the walk-on system at Ohio State: it’s not just about numbers, it’s about culture. Walk-ons like Lane Stover bring intensity to every rep. They force scholarship players to stay sharp. They embody the “next man up” mentality and often make the most of limited opportunities. Cade Stover’s career arc, from reserve linebacker to offensive star, sets a compelling example for Lane to follow. The dream may be improbable, but it’s not impossible—not in a program that has seen walk-ons become team captains, special teams aces, and even NFL prospects.

For Ryan Day and his staff, managing the walk-on program isn’t a matter of checking boxes—it’s a cornerstone of building championship-caliber teams. Every player, regardless of recruiting status, is evaluated on effort, accountability, and improvement. Walk-ons participate in all team activities, lift in the same weight room, run the same sprints, and get coached with the same fire. It’s not uncommon for walk-ons to become fan favorites because they represent something pure about college football: the love of the game, the desire to compete, and the willingness to sacrifice comfort for a chance at greatness.

That’s exactly what this current group represents. From legacies to longshots, from undersized to underestimated, these players are beginning their journeys not under stadium lights but in early morning workouts, on scout teams, and in team meetings. They’ll run the opposing team’s plays to prepare the starters. They’ll take hits in practice and rarely see their names on the depth chart. And yet, every day, they will show up with purpose. Because that’s the walk-on way.

And for fans who understand the heartbeat of Ohio State football, these names should not be dismissed as footnotes. They are the kind of players who elevate the overall standard. They are teammates first and foremost, and many will become the emotional glue of the locker room. Whether they eventually see significant playing time or not, their contributions—quiet, consistent, and unrelenting—help win games in ways that statistics can’t measure.

If recent history is any guide, one or more of these players will emerge from anonymity to earn a scholarship. Some may eventually play meaningful snaps. Others will find their legacies not on the field, but in the relationships forged and the culture upheld. And when their time at Ohio State is over, they’ll walk away not just with memories of being part of a blue-blood program, but with the pride of knowing they earned their place in it.

In a world where five-star recruits dominate headlines and highlight reels, it’s easy to overlook the power of walk-ons. But Ohio State, a program built on toughness and unity, knows better. This latest group—blending history, heart, and hunger—won’t be overlooked inside the walls of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. They’re Buckeyes now. And that means everything.