If you're a high school receiver recruit, the Ohio State football program is where you should want to be. The number of first-round picks that they have been able to produce at that position shows that they are the best choice for an elite receiver to get to the NFL.
Brian Hartline has proven that he is able to recruit and develop receivers at an incredible rate. The Buckeyes have produced a first-round pick at wide receiver in the last four years. Ohio State is clearly a great fit for any receiver who wants to play at the next level.
Hartline already has a five-star receiver recruit for the 2026 recruiting class. Another receiver recruit has the Ohio State Buckeyes as one of his final schools. Of the seven schools on his list, Messiah Hampton should want to pick Ohio State because of its development track record.
Four-star recruit has the Ohio State football team in his final list of schools
Hampton is a receiver from New York who stands at six feet and 170 pounds. He will be visiting Ohio State in a couple of weeks, so that could be the determining factor on whether or not he'll choose the Buckeyes. He is also considering Oregon, Penn State, Syracuse, Michigan, Georgia, and Miami.
Ohio State can usually get almost any receiver that they want when it comes to recruiting. They have earned the right to be able to pick and choose which kind of recruits they want to bring in. Hampton is someone that they believe would work great in the slot.
Hampton's speed is what makes him attractive to the Buckeyes. They love how quickly he can get in and out of his breaks. He's a guy who can get open relatively easily. He would fit well in Hartline's offensive system, especially with how he coaches his receivers.
It's unclear when Hampton will make his final decision, but the Buckeyes are in the thick of things. They will likely end up taking four receivers in this class, as they do in most years. Hampton could be one of those guys.