Ohio State Recruiting: Looking at Ryan Day's list of signings following the Early Signing Period

The early signing period, which ran from Wednesday to Friday, proved pivotal for Ohio State football under coach Ryan Day. Demonstrating both depth and talent, the Buckeyes signed 26 players, earning recognition as one of the nation’s premier recruiting classes.

OSU's 2025 class is ranked fifth in the 247Sports Composite rankings and holds a stellar 3.95 average recruit rating, according to Rivals.

Ohio State’s performance during ESP continues a tradition of excellence, as the team has maintained a top-five recruiting class every year since 2019, except when a smaller group ranked 14th that year.

This year’s signees fill critical positional needs across the board, including standout players like running back Anthony "Turbo" Rogers, quarterback Tavien St. Clair and defensive lineman Zion Grady.

Here is a full list of signees:

1. Anthony “Turbo” Rogers (RB)
2. Bodpegn Miller (WR)
3. Bo Jackson (RB)
4. Carter Lowe (OL)
5. Cody Haddad (SAF)
6. De’Zie Jones (WR)
7. Devin Sanchez (CB)
8. Eli Lee (LB)
9. Epi Sitanilei (DE)
10. Faheem Delane (SAF)
11. Jake Cook (OL)
12. Jayvon McFadden (OL)
13. Jordyn Woods (CB)
14. Maxwell Roy (DL)
15. Nate Roberts (TE)
16. Phillip Bell (WR)
17. Quincy Porter (WR)
18. Riley Pettijohn (LB)
19. Tarvos "TJ" Alford (LB)
20. Tavien St. Clair (QB)
21. Trajen Odom (DL)
22. Zion Grady (DL)
23. Deshawn Stewart (SAF)
24. Isaiah West (RB)
25. Brody Lennon (TE)
26. Jarquez Carter

Although Ohio State achieved significant success, it faced a few setbacks, including the loss of long-time commit Na'eem Offord to Oregon. Additionally, coveted Ohio natives Dorian Brew and Trey McNutt chose the Ducks earlier in the year.

Historically, Ohio State has dominated Big Ten recruiting, leading the rankings in all but two years since 2008. However, this year it fell to second place behind the Ducks, who signed 20 players on Wednesday.

Ryan Day's Ohio State recruiting: Stability and offensive firepower

With 26 players signed, the class features strong contributions from Ohio natives, tying the record for the most local recruits since 2016. However, only 31% of signees hail from Ohio, a decline compared to 41% during the Urban Meyer era (2012-18) and 60% under Jim Tressel and John Cooper.

Five-star Bellefontaine quarterback Tavien St. Clair, a top-seven national player and the No. 3 quarterback, represents the Miami Valley's sole contribution this year. The class is heavy on offensive talent, including four wide receivers and three running backs.

Despite securing only three offensive linemen this year, Carter Lowe of Toledo Whitmer headlines the group as the lone four-star recruit, ranked No. 60 overall and No. 9 among tackles.

Stability within the program allowed the Buckeyes to flip key recruits, including four-star running back Anthony Rogers from Alabama and defensive end Epi Sitanilei from UCLA.

“There was nobody flinching,” Day said. “A lot of these guys nowadays have found some balance, not riding the roller coaster, understanding of what comes with being Ohio State and not diving into the extremes of it all. It’s a great sign.”

Since Ryan Day took over full-year recruiting in 2020, 24.4% of Ohio State’s four- or five-star recruits have been receivers, a significant rise from the 16% seen in the prior eight years.

Day's classes average 8.8 elite offensive recruits annually, slightly outpacing defensive counterparts at 8.2, a shift from Meyer’s tenure, which leaned toward defense.