OHIO STATE LOSES OUT ON A TOP IN-STATE TARGET, HOPE TO BOUNCE BACK THIS WEEKEND
On Wednesday, Ohio State saw arguably their first real bad news this 2025 cycle when in-state prospect Justin Hill chose Alabama over the Buckeyes. The No. 58 player nationally and fourth-best edge rusher in the 2025 class per the 247Sports Composite, Hill decided on the Crimson Tide over Ohio State, Oregon, and USC.
No real way of sugar-coating it — this is a major loss for the Buckeyes.
Shortly before his announcement Wednesday afternoon, the Crystal Ball predictions flipped from Ohio State to Alabama, and the writing was on the walls that the staff was losing out on a recruitment that is very important to say the least. Rumors of his family preferring Alabama and more, the Buckeyes lost their footing in the final stretch.
Ohio State’s lack of his “Jack” position on the field is likely the real cause for why the Buckeyes lost this recruitment. Not utilizing his position is confusing, considering Jim Knowles is very much a proponent of using multiple defensive fronts. Larry Johnson’s commitment to a four-down front left Hill without seeing a real example of how he’d be used in Ohio State’s defense, and you just have to believe that’s the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Losing an elite playmaker is never easy, but when he’s an in-state product and from a prep program you have recruited well in the past, it stings that much more. However, it is important to note that the Buckeyes still boast the nation’s top-ranked recruiting class, and have a very impressive haul already along the defensive line. Up to five commits currently, Johnson can’t take too much heat for one miss, but winning elsewhere would soften the blow.
For now, you can guarantee Ohio State will continue recruiting Hill up until he signs. This season could be one where the multiple defensive schemes are shown, and if so, maybe the Buckeyes can get right back in the mix for a potential flip. It’s nothing to bank on, but all is not totally lost, and surely the staff will try their hand again until ink hits paper.
Cryptic tweet could spell good news for Buckeyes
Shortly after the aforementioned Hill’s decision was made, linebackers coach James Laurinaitis took to social media to release the tweet below, and immediately that had Buckeye fans all over rumbling about what this could mean.
Not solely the position coach Hill would have had in Columbus, Laurinaitis was still very much a lead role in that recruitment, so it could have had something to do with his pledge. However, the initial thought here is that this likely hints toward the feeling that Ohio State and their 2025 defensive recruiting efforts are going to be just fine when all is said and done.
With a commitment announcement coming from Texas linebacker target Riley Pettijohn later this weekend, some believe the Buckeyes are in the driver seat, with USC following just behind. Again, the rug could always be pulled out in the final moments once again, but seeing Texas insiders removing their picks toward the Longhorns and hearing 247Sports’ Mike Roach state that, “the winds are blowing toward Ohio State,” has to mean something.
The No. 31 player nationally and the fourth-best linebacker in the 2025 class per the 247Sports Composite is set to announce on Saturday, and a commitment for Ohio State would be just what the doctor ordered to get the defense quickly back on the right track.
Quick Hits
- Five-star receiver and Ohio State target Dakorien Moore announced via social media last night that he will make his commitment later today. The No. 3 player nationally and top receiver in the 2025 class per the 247Sports Composite, Moore is down to just LSU, Ohio State, Oregon, and Texas. Though the Buckeyes are certainly in the mix here, it would be a surprise at this point if the Longhorns weren’t the pick.