Ohio State Buckeyes Waste No Time Locking In Backup Plan After Losing Key Recruiting Target to Surging Big Ten Rival

In the world of college football recruiting, every move matters and no stone is left unturned. The Ohio State Buckeyes are no strangers to the emotional rollercoaster of the recruiting trail, especially when a top target unexpectedly flips or chooses a conference rival. This week, the Buckeyes took a recruiting hit when one of their key defensive targets committed to a fellow Big Ten powerhouse. But in true Ohio State fashion, Ryan Day and his staff moved quickly, pivoting with precision and locking in an alternative plan that could pay off even bigger in the long run.

The player in question? Four-star defensive end Luke Wafle, who shocked many by committing to the USC Trojans after a whirlwind 48-hour NIL push that reportedly saw a major financial incentive sweeten the pot. While USC is still new to the Big Ten fold, they’ve wasted little time establishing their presence, and this recruiting battle is a telling example. Wafle had long been considered a strong Buckeye lean, thanks to multiple visits to Columbus and a strong relationship with the defensive coaching staff. However, when USC upped the ante late in the process, Wafle’s decision became one of financial security and opportunity on the West Coast.

The loss stung in Buckeye circles — there’s no sugarcoating it. But the recruiting calendar doesn’t wait for anyone to grieve, and Day, defensive line coach Larry Johnson, and general manager Mark Pantoni immediately turned their focus toward rising prospects still on the board. That’s where the name Keon Milton comes in.

Milton, a 6-foot-4, 260-pound edge rusher out of Charlotte, North Carolina, has flown under the radar for much of the 2025 cycle. But as his film circulated this spring, programs began taking notice of his explosive first step, relentless motor, and versatility to play either defensive end or slide inside in sub-packages. Ohio State had quietly maintained contact, but Wafle’s departure moved Milton from “plan B” to top priority.

Within hours of Wafle’s announcement, Ohio State extended a formal offer to Milton, who had previously received offers from North Carolina, Michigan State, and Tennessee. The Buckeyes wasted no time getting him on the phone, setting up an official visit to Columbus for July. Sources close to the situation say the call was “energized” and that Milton expressed genuine excitement at the opportunity to suit up in scarlet and gray.

“Ohio State has always been a dream school,” Milton said in a brief interview with a local North Carolina outlet. “I grew up watching Chase Young and Nick Bosa. To even be in the conversation with them is crazy. The call came at the perfect time.”

Though Milton may not carry the same star rating as Wafle — yet — the Buckeye coaching staff believes his ceiling is just as high, if not higher. His recruitment was slowed early on due to a broken wrist he suffered during his junior season, which kept scouts from seeing his full potential. But with a full offseason of workouts and seven-on-seven events under his belt, Milton is trending upward and rapidly climbing recruiting boards.

Ohio State’s pivot is also strategic in a broader sense. While Wafle projects more as a pure defensive end in a four-man front, Milton provides more schematic flexibility. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has toyed with hybrid looks over the past two seasons, particularly as the Buckeyes look to modernize their defense and combat high-tempo offenses. Milton’s ability to rush the passer from different angles — including the interior in NASCAR packages — fits that blueprint perfectly.

The staff’s rapid redirection wasn’t limited to Milton alone. Ohio State has also re-engaged with Texas-based defensive lineman Julius Hicks, a raw but freakishly athletic 6-foot-5, 270-pounder who recently decommitted from Texas A&M. Hicks, who had previously visited Columbus during a spring camp in 2024, is expected to take an official visit in August, and sources indicate the Buckeyes are back in serious contention.

Recruiting analysts around the country are once again praising Ohio State’s resilience and adaptability. In today’s NIL-driven era, it’s no longer enough to be a tradition-rich program — coaching staffs must be agile, well-resourced, and relentlessly strategic. The Buckeyes checked all those boxes this week, turning what could’ve been a demoralizing recruiting loss into a potentially savvy long-term win.

“It’s why Ohio State is Ohio State,” said Rivals national analyst Clint Thomas. “Some schools panic when they lose a big-time guy. Ohio State doesn’t flinch. They already had three or four backup plans in place — and some of those backups could end up being better fits. The staff there recruits at a championship level every single day.”

Part of that championship-level strategy involves keeping relationships warm even when a recruit isn’t an immediate take. Milton is a prime example. Despite focusing heavily on Wafle, Ohio State continued to send graphics, visit texts, and development plans to Milton’s camp, ensuring the door was always open. When the Wafle door closed, the Milton door was not only unlocked but already halfway open.

As July’s recruiting visits begin, Ohio State could make a major statement by landing Milton before the start of fall practice. Doing so would not only reinforce the Buckeyes’ depth on the defensive line, but it would also serve as a reminder to future recruits: choosing another school doesn’t cripple Ohio State — it only sharpens their focus.

Meanwhile, the Buckeyes remain in the hunt for other top-tier defensive line prospects, including national names like Elijah Griffin and Zion Williams. While Griffin is a longer shot due to SEC leanings, Williams remains wide open and is reportedly planning a surprise visit to Columbus in the coming weeks. Should the Buckeyes close the summer with one or more of those names, Wafle’s departure could feel like a footnote rather than a headline.

For Ohio State fans, the lesson here is clear: the recruiting process is fluid, and losses can often lead to new opportunities. In the case of Keon Milton — and possibly Julius Hicks — the Buckeyes may be getting hungrier, more coachable, and scheme-versatile players who want to be part of something built on legacy, not just lucrative offers.

Ryan Day summed it up best in a recent media session, saying, “We don’t recruit to win headlines. We recruit to win championships. That means finding the right fit, not just the biggest name.”

With that philosophy in mind, the Buckeyes continue to push forward — undeterred, unrelenting, and, most of all, prepared. Losing a recruit to a Big Ten rival might cause a momentary stir, but for Ohio State, it’s just another chapter in a much bigger, championship-bound story.