Spring ball is here and Ohio State fans are fired up to see what this team can get done in the next few weeks. The excitement is quite high for the newcomers, of course including wideout Chris Henry Jr. However, he's not the only one.
Ryan Day deeply concerned with one Ohio State position group
Another 5-star playmaker suiting up for the first time in Columbus is defensive lineman Khary Wilder, as there's a ton of hype surrounding his name. Need another reason to get excited about his potential with the team in 2026? Take a look at the photo below. How in the world is this kid a freshman who graduated high school early? He looks like a senior playmaker here:
Just a reminder that this is a TRUE freshman. pic.twitter.com/786GcjwEpK
— The Scarlet and Gray Podcast (@TheSG_Podcast) March 11, 2026
Ohio State freshman Khary Wilder already looks massive at spring ball
On the official spring roster, Wilder is listed at 6-4, 248 pounds. A stud defensive end/pass-rusher, Wilder saw his recruiting rankings explode, which eventually led to him landing his coveted fifth star from Rivals. That alone had the Ohio State faithful pretty dang jacked up.
Out of Junipero Serra High in California, Wilder had 28 offers to his name throughout his recruitment, taking official visits to Ohio State and UCLA. The draw of potentially staying close to home for his college ball was on his mind, but competing for national titles with the Buckeyes is tough to turn down.
Wilder also developed a close bond with defensive line coach Larry Johnson, with the veteran assistant helping to lead the way with OSU's recruiting efforts. Matt Patricia, who just landed a monster raise from Ryan Day and Ross Bjork, was also involved.
Wilder is an incredibly versatile athlete and the fact that he's getting a head start on his college career is great news for everyone. The freshman is going to push for immediate playing time and with him making noise early on for Ohio State, it's clear Day is going to put him in a spot to make a difference.
The defense for Ohio State is considered a major strength leading up to next season, but the losses of studs to the NFL is going to hurt. Luckily, Day and Co. reloaded via the portal and with some big-name freshmen too. Wilder is on that list and his potential has no limits moving forward.