ohio state: Ohio State recruiting: 3 players Ryan Day could secure on National Signing Day 2025

The Ohio State Buckeyes won their ninth national title in 2024, but for the upcoming year, Ryan Day and the Buckeyes will have to readjust if they plan to defend the crown.

Ohio State will have to overcome losing some key veteran pieces to the NFL Draft. Among the players leaving is the entire starting defensive line, including JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer, quarterback Will Howard, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, and running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. All of them played an integral part in winning the title.

The offensive line suffered a couple of blows, as Seth McLaughlin and Josh Simmons entered the NFL Draft.

While the Buckeyes still have the talent to compete in 2025, they will break in a strong class this season. Ohio State has the third-ranked recruiting class according to 247 Sports, including three 5-star prospects in quarterback Tavien St. Clair, cornerback Devin Sanchez, and wide receiver Quincy Carter.

Here are three more prospects that could land in Columbus on National Signing Day.

3 athletes Ohio State could recruit in National Signing Day

#3. Maxwell Riley, Offensive Tackle

The offensive line at Ohio State was hit with several departures. After struggling for most of the 2024 season, they got hot at the right time and were a factor in winning the title. However, they still need to address the depth along the line. Maxwell Riley is a 4-star recruit from Avon Lake in Ohio. He is reportedly picking between the Buckeyes and the Clemson Tigers. Getting him to Columbus would grant the team a solid tackle for years to come.

#2. Zahir Mathis, Defensive End

The Buckeyes are battling a horde of schools, including Notre Dame, to bring in the edge rusher. The Buckeyes have a history of developing defensive ends, that includes the Bosa brothers, Chase Young, and, most recently Tuimoloau and Sawyer.

Mathis had already committed to the Buckeyes but didn’t sign. Would he go back to Columbus after watching the defense perform in the College Football Playoff? The match looks strong.

#1. Ty Haywood, Offensive Tackle

Could Ohio State bring in a fourth 5-star recruit? Ty Haywood is still deciding among several schools, including the Michigan Wolverines. Haywood committed to Alabama but decided to decommit and open recruiting again.

The Ryan High School product has prototypical size and long arms. While his technique needs refinement, he could come in and contribute in the Buckeyes' renewed offensive line. He would be another huge signing for Ryan Day if they can pull it off.

About the author

Allan Wolburg Robles is a College Sports journalist at Sportskeeda with over 17 years of experience in the field writing for publications including Reforma, Yahoo! OddsShark and Apuesta. Allan studied Communications at Anáhuac University, where he learned what would become the basis of a trade that was already a dream of his before starting college.

His favorite team is Army West Point as when he was young, Allan lived in West Point for a couple of years, went to pretty much every home game, a couple of Army-Navy games and even got to meet some of the players.

Allan's favorite players of all time include Tommie Frazier, who was unbelievable during the Nebraska dynasty of the early 90's. Tim Tebow was also a favorite, mainly because of his leadership skills, although he was also awesome on the football field. As a fan of defensive football, (or what's left of it), Sean Taylor could take over a game for Miami.

Allan has always considered himself a student of the game more than a fan of it. So the historical part and evolution of the game, as well as the ins and outs of what happens on the field, and being able to put it into words for the audience, are his biggest strengths.

Besides sports, Allan enjoys reading books, watching movies and spending time with his dogs.

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Edited by Debasish