Ohio State Football Is Pushing Hard to Land This Lower-Rated Recruit — Here’s Why the Buckeyes Won’t Back Down Yet

In the glitzy, star-studded world of college football recruiting, where four-star and five-star prospects often grab headlines and dominate fan message boards, it’s easy to overlook the significance of a so-called “lower-rated” recruit. But in the case of one particular prospect still sitting atop Ohio State’s priority board, that assumption couldn’t be more wrong. Despite holding commitments from several of the top-ranked players in the country, the Buckeyes coaching staff has continued to aggressively pursue a prospect whose rating on most recruiting services doesn’t raise eyebrows. So, why exactly is one of college football’s premier programs still putting so much effort into a recruit the industry isn’t raving about?

To understand Ohio State’s mindset, you have to look beyond the stars and into the tape, the traits, and the tenacity that coaches often value more than rankings. In this case, the target is a three-star recruit — let’s call him Marcus for clarity — who’s been evaluated by many as a developmental player. But within the walls of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, Marcus is seen as much more: a future difference-maker who fits a very specific vision for the Buckeyes’ evolving roster.

Ryan Day and his staff aren’t in the business of handing out scholarships for PR points. They’re building a team to win national championships, and when a lower-rated player still commands this level of attention, it’s often because the coaches believe they see something others don’t.

So what is it about Marcus that has Ohio State pushing harder than ever, even as other top-tier programs pass him over?

First, it’s all about projection. At 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, Marcus plays defensive end for a smaller Midwest high school that doesn’t compete in a top-tier district. While that may limit the national exposure he gets, it doesn’t mask his athletic gifts. He’s clocked a sub-4.8 40-yard dash and has a wingspan comparable to elite edge rushers. His raw tools scream potential. Defensive line coach Larry Johnson — a name synonymous with developing NFL pass rushers — sees in Marcus a blank canvas he can mold.

Johnson has earned the benefit of the doubt with his track record: Chase Young, the Bosa brothers, and countless others have thrived under his guidance. If Johnson sees a potential future NFLer in a recruit, even if the rankings don’t reflect it yet, it’s worth paying attention.

Second, it’s about character and football IQ. Ask anyone who’s been to Marcus’s practices or watched him interact with teammates, and the words that constantly emerge are “leader,” “coachable,” and “relentless.” For a Buckeye staff that puts enormous emphasis on culture and leadership, Marcus brings more to the table than just physical ability. He’s the type of player who stays after practice to work on technique, who leads off-season workouts, and who’s known for studying game film with a coach’s attention to detail.

In an era where NIL deals, transfer portal entries, and instant gratification dominate the college football headlines, players like Marcus stand out for their long-haul mentality. He’s not just looking for an opportunity — he’s looking to earn it. That mindset aligns perfectly with what Ryan Day has been preaching throughout his tenure: toughness, accountability, and relentless work ethic.

Third, and perhaps most critically, Ohio State sees Marcus as a scheme fit. In the Buckeyes’ current defensive evolution under Jim Knowles, hybrid defenders who can operate in multiple fronts are becoming essential. Marcus, despite his current listing as a “tweener,” is exactly the type of player who could be deployed in several alignments. He’s agile enough to stand up as a JACK linebacker in Knowles’ system but strong enough to slide down and play with a hand in the dirt when needed.

This versatility doesn’t just make him valuable — it makes him hard to evaluate. Recruiting sites often struggle to rank players who don’t fit traditional molds. But coaching staffs? They thrive on those players. Because they’re not recruiting a finished product — they’re recruiting potential, adaptability, and vision.

And let’s not ignore the timing. Marcus is expected to make a decision in the coming weeks, and Ohio State has made it clear: they want him in Columbus. Despite having blue-chip prospects already committed in the front seven, the Buckeyes are pushing hard to seal the deal with Marcus, even attending multiple games and conducting private workouts to reassure him of their interest.

That kind of persistent attention sends a message, both to Marcus and the broader recruiting world: Ohio State doesn’t chase stars. They chase players.

That approach has paid off in the past. Just look at current or former Ohio State players like Malik Hooker, a three-star defensive back from Pennsylvania who blossomed into an All-American and first-round NFL Draft pick. Or DaVon Hamilton, a low-rated defensive lineman who became a team captain and was selected in the NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. These aren’t exceptions; they’re proof that Ohio State’s evaluations often extend far beyond the recruiting services.

Of course, some fans and critics will continue to question why the Buckeyes are allocating resources to a recruit who lacks the prestige of others. In the highly competitive world of college football, perception matters — but Ohio State has never been a program to follow the crowd. They’ve built a dynasty by trusting their own evaluations and committing to players they believe in.

There’s also a strategic element to this pursuit. Landing a lower-rated recruit and helping him develop into a contributor (or even a star) carries long-term benefits for the program. It sends a message to future under-the-radar prospects that Ohio State isn’t just a place for the elite — it’s a place where hard work and growth are rewarded. It also reflects the Buckeyes’ confidence in their strength and conditioning program, their player development pipeline, and the culture they’ve built within the program.

For Marcus, that vote of confidence may be all he needs to see. When a blue-blood like Ohio State tells a recruit, “You’re our guy,” despite what the rankings say, it resonates in a way that no other offer can. It’s about trust, belief, and shared goals. And if Marcus ultimately chooses the Buckeyes, he’ll do so knowing that he was never a backup plan or a filler — he was the plan.

There’s still competition, of course. Several Big Ten and SEC schools have been sniffing around Marcus lately, with some programs hoping to swoop in late and convince him that Ohio State’s interest might be waning. But insiders say that’s far from the truth. In fact, one recent visit to Columbus reaffirmed to Marcus and his family just how serious the Buckeyes are. The staff didn’t just roll out the red carpet — they laid out a developmental blueprint specifically tailored to him.

If all goes according to plan, that blueprint could include redshirting in year one, adding mass and refining technique under Johnson’s guidance, then gradually working into a rotation role by year two. By year three, the goal is to be a disruptive force with the versatility to anchor multiple fronts.

And maybe, just maybe, become the next Ohio State success story who started out under the radar but finished on the NFL stage.

In the end, this recruitment isn’t about stars, tweets, or flash. It’s about substance. It’s about a coaching staff that’s built its reputation on identifying talent others miss and developing it to its full potential. And it’s about a young man who embodies the values that Ohio State football holds dear — grit, determination, and the hunger to prove people wrong.

So when people ask why Ohio State is still chasing this lower-rated recruit, the answer is simple: because they believe in him. And if history is any indicator, when Ohio State believes, good things tend to follow.