Country’s No. 4 Defensive Tackle Earns Ohio State Offer at Camp, Wastes No Time Locking in Official Visit Date

Ohio State’s recruiting machine continues to hum at full throttle, and the latest development from Columbus could have major long-term implications for the Buckeyes’ defensive front. On a sun-drenched day filled with talent evaluations and drills at Ohio State’s on-campus camp, one of the nation’s premier defensive linemen walked away with more than just sore muscles and new relationships—he left with a coveted offer from Ryan Day and defensive line coach Larry Johnson.

The player in question? Four-star defensive tackle Tavion Hardwick, the No. 4 defensive tackle in the nation according to the 247Sports Composite and a top-50 overall player in the Class of 2026. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound disruptor out of Atlanta (Ga.) Booker T. Washington High School made the trip to Columbus with hopes of impressing a coaching staff known for developing NFL-caliber linemen. By all accounts, he did just that—and then some.

Hardwick dominated his reps during one-on-one drills and consistently flashed his explosiveness, violent hands, and quickness off the snap during positional workouts. Observers noted his rare blend of size, power, and fluid athleticism, and those qualities quickly drew the attention of Johnson, one of college football’s most respected developers of defensive line talent.

Not long after camp wrapped up, Hardwick met with the staff in Ryan Day’s office and received the news every elite prospect dreams of hearing: an offer to play for the Buckeyes.

“Coach Johnson pulled me aside and told me he was really impressed with how I performed,” Hardwick said. “He liked my effort, my motor, and the way I used my hands. Then he told me I had an offer. I was honestly speechless for a second. Ohio State is one of those schools you grow up watching. I had chills.”

Just hours after receiving the offer, Hardwick confirmed he has already scheduled an official visit to Ohio State. He’ll return to Columbus on the weekend of September 6–8, when the Buckeyes host Iowa at Ohio Stadium—a primetime opportunity for the program to leave a lasting impression on one of its top defensive targets.

“I didn’t want to wait,” Hardwick said of scheduling the visit. “I knew if they offered, I would want to come back for a real look at everything. The culture, the academics, the strength program, game day—I want to see it all.”

Hardwick’s rapid decision to schedule an official visit speaks volumes about how he views the Buckeyes, despite being courted by a laundry list of college football’s powerhouses. Georgia, Alabama, USC, and Michigan are all actively recruiting him, and he’s already taken unofficial visits to several SEC programs. Yet, Ohio State appears to have carved out a significant place in his recruitment early on.

“They have a tradition of putting defensive linemen in the league,” he said. “Coach Johnson, what he’s done with guys like Joey Bosa, Nick Bosa, Chase Young—that speaks for itself. But more than that, the way they treated me when I was there felt real. Genuine. It felt like family, and that stood out.”

The feeling seems to be mutual. Sources inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center indicate that Hardwick has quickly climbed Ohio State’s interior defensive line board. The staff believes he possesses the tools to be a game-changing presence at the next level, not just as a run-stuffer, but also as an interior pass rusher with the ability to collapse pockets.

Johnson, now entering what could be his final years as a coach, remains committed to assembling one last elite defensive line haul. Hardwick’s combination of upside and polish could make him a cornerstone of the class if the Buckeyes can win out in what is sure to be a heated battle for his signature.

Ohio State’s camp strategy is already paying off this summer. The Buckeyes have been aggressive in using their on-campus camps not only to identify new targets, but also to build deeper relationships with known prospects. In Hardwick’s case, it was a mix of both. The coaching staff had been monitoring him, but his live performance and face-to-face interactions elevated their level of interest—and ultimately sealed the offer.

“He earned it,” one Ohio State recruiting assistant said. “We knew he was good on film, but seeing it in person—how hard he works, how quick he learns, how dominant he was—you couldn’t leave today without offering him.”

With his official visit now locked in, Hardwick becomes part of a select group of 2026 blue-chippers already planning to return to Columbus this fall. It also sets the stage for what could be one of the most significant recruiting weekends of the year, especially with key 2025 commitments expected to be on hand to help woo younger prospects.

Though signing day for the Class of 2026 remains more than a year and a half away, early relationships often define long-term outcomes in recruiting. That’s why Ohio State’s move to extend an offer now—and Hardwick’s response—feels particularly important. It sends a signal that both sides are serious about each other.

“I’m not ready to make a decision anytime soon,” Hardwick cautioned. “I still want to take my time and see as many places as I can. But I will say this—Ohio State is going to be one of the schools I look at the hardest. They’re up there.”

As for what’s next, Hardwick plans to take additional unofficial visits throughout the summer and possibly narrow his list by the end of his junior season. He also intends to return to the camp circuit in July, this time with national attention following every move.

“It’s been a blessing,” he said. “I’ve worked hard for this moment, and now that it’s here, I’m just going to keep grinding and stay humble. I know nothing is guaranteed. You’ve got to keep proving yourself every day.”

For Ohio State, offering Hardwick was not just about securing a commitment today—it’s about investing in the future of their defensive line and maintaining the program’s standard of excellence in the trenches. With Hardwick’s official visit now on the books and mutual interest running high, the Buckeyes may have just taken a major step forward in landing one of the best defensive tackles in America.

The path from prospect to commitment is rarely linear, but if today was any indication, the Buckeyes and Hardwick might be heading down that path together—with serious momentum already on their side.