With spring football finished for the Ohio State football team, recruiting is beginning to heat up, and the Buckeyes appear poised to make another significant splash in the 2026 class. Is some good news on the way soon for head man Ryan Day?
Elite wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, a standout from Santa Ana’s Mater Dei High School, is set to announce his commitment on Sunday, May 4. With a decision coming later this week, Buckeyes superstar Jeremiah Smith appears to think the Buckeyes are in a good spot:
Ohio State is hoping to land the commitment of elite WR prospect Kayden Dixon-Wyatt
The emoji Smith used in his post above can be used in various ways, but in this context, it seems to be for building hype or signaling something exciting on the horizon. Smith seems to be suggesting he is brimming with confidence about Ohio State landing the highly coveted receiver. His reaction has sparked speculation among fans and analysts, who see it as a sign that the Buckeyes are in pole position to secure Dixon-Wyatt’s commitment.
Dixon-Wyatt is a 6-2, 185-pound pass-catcher who has proven himself as one of the nation’s top prospects. At Overtime’s OT7 event in March, Dixon-Wyatt turned heads with a stellar performance. On3 National Scout Cody Bellaire noted that after playing a supporting role on Day 1, Dixon-Wyatt “exploded” on Day 2, becoming his team’s most productive receiver. He recorded three touchdowns, showcased reliable hands, and made a highlight-reel one-handed catch in the endzone, earning praise as one of the most consistent playmakers of the week.
Oregon hosted Dixon-Wyatt for three unofficial visits in 2025, including two in April, but Ohio State had one in April, too. Landing Dixon-Wyatt would be significant for Ohio State, not only for maintaining a strong wide receiver room, but also for a win over Big Ten recruiting rival Oregon.
Dixon-Wyatt’s high school is also an interesting factor as he plays for Mater Dei, On3's No. 1 high school football program in 2024. This fall, he and Ohio State commit Chris Henry Jr. are expected to be the primary targets for the Monarchs’ offense. Perhaps it could lead to some chemistry that they would like to replicate in a few years as a duo at Ohio State.
When it comes to wide receiver recruiting, the Buckeyes have built a reputation as “Wide Receiver U,” producing high NFL Draft picks like Marvin Harrison Jr., Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and most recently, Emeka Egbuka. Adding Dixon-Wyatt to a roster already featuring Smith would continue to cement the “Wide Receiver U” label and send a message to recruiting rivals like Oregon and USC. With Sunday’s announcement approaching, all eyes will be on Dixon-Wyatt - and whether Smith’s emoji proves to be a prophetic nod to a Buckeye victory.