Buckeyes Remain Active on the Recruiting Trail Despite Staff Departures
Less than three weeks after capturing a national championship, Ohio State’s offseason has been anything but quiet. The Buckeyes have already seen defensive coordinator Jim Knowles depart for Penn State, while offensive line coach Justin Frye (Arizona Cardinals) and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly (Las Vegas Raiders) have also left for the NFL. Additionally, defensive line assistant La’Allen Clark is headed to Texas.
Despite these coaching changes, Ohio State remains a powerhouse on the recruiting front. The Buckeyes continue to attract top talent, recently making the cut for two of the nation’s most sought-after 2026 prospects—five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell and five-star wide receiver Cederian Morgan.
Buckeyes in the Hunt for Nation’s Top Offensive Tackle
Offensive line remains a priority for Ohio State, and Jackson Cantwell, the No. 1 offensive tackle and No. 1 overall player in the 2026 class (per the 247Sports Composite), is a key target. Standing 6-foot-7.5 and 300 pounds, the Missouri native boasts more than 30 scholarship offers but has now narrowed his choices to Ohio State, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Missouri, and Oregon.
Head coach Ryan Day and former offensive line coach Justin Frye visited Cantwell at Nixa High School right after their national championship win, making a strong impression. Cantwell also visited Columbus in December during Ohio State’s College Football Playoff preparations.
Discussing his interest in Ohio State, Cantwell told On3:
“It’s hard to beat being a national champion—a winning culture and a fantastic offensive line group is appealing.”
However, Ohio State faces a challenge in his recruitment, as Frye’s departureleaves the program without an offensive line coach. The Buckeyes must move quickly to introduce their new hire to Cantwell and strengthen their position in this high-stakes battle.
Ohio State in the Running for Elite Wide Receiver Cederian Morgan
Despite coaching turnover in some areas, Ohio State remains strong at wide receiver recruiting under Brian Hartline. The Buckeyes are still in contention for Cederian Morgan, the No. 2 wide receiver and No. 10 overall player in the 2026 class.
Morgan, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound standout from Alabama, recently narrowed his list to 10 schools, with Ohio State competing against Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Oregon, and others.
While Ohio State had not historically recruited many players from Alabama, that trend is changing, especially following Nick Saban’s retirement. The Buckeyes recently secured commitments from four-star defensive end Zion Grady and four-star running back Anthony Rogers from Alabama in the 2025 class.
Morgan, who attended an Ohio State recruiting camp last June, spoke highly of the program and Hartline:
“Yeah, it’s a very big school and a big name. Especially with coach Brian Hartline. It’s wide receiver U. What they’ve done with wide receivers is amazing. I feel like if you want to be a wide receiver and make it to the next level, Ohio State is the place to be.”
Although early predictions favor in-state schools Alabama and Auburn, the Buckeyes still have time to make a strong push. Ohio State already has five-star wide receiver Chris Henry Jr.committed for 2026, and landing Morgan would further solidify their dominance at the position.
Quick Hits: More Buckeye Recruiting Updates
• Four-star CB Victor Singleton(No. 6 CB, No. 2 player in Ohio) committed to Illinoisover the weekend in a surprising move. Previously projected to choose Ohio State, Singleton may have prioritized early playing time. However, the Buckeyes are expected to stay involved until signing day.
• Ohio State received a recruiting prediction for four-star linebacker CJ Sanna(No. 27 LB, No. 20 player in Ohio for 2026).
• The Buckeyes gained additional projections for several top recruits, including:
• Four-star linebackers Cincere Johnson and Storm Miller
• Four-star defensive lineman Deuce Geralds
• Four-star offensive linemen Adam Guthrie, Maxwell Riley, and Sam Greer
As Ohio State works through staff changes, their ability to recruit remains strong. The Buckeyes continue to position themselves as one of the nation’s premier programs, ensuring that the 2026 class could be another elite group for the defending champions.
