The Ohio State football program has been hoping to land a few more five-star recruits before Signing Day. The 2026 recruiting class has gotten away from them a bit, and they are projected to have their lowest-rated recruiting class since Ryan Day took over as head coach.
The Ohio State Buckeyes haven't been able to land a highly-rated running back this cycle yet, as they only have a three-star running back committed in this class. They have been hoping to change that by getting Derrek Cooper, a five-star running back out of Florida.
After likely losing out on Savion Hiter, the Buckeyes have been hoping to land Cooper as a five-star running back from this class. Based on a massive NIlLdeal that he was just offered from another school, that looks increasingly unlikely to happen now.
Ohio State football recruiting target gets a huge NIL offer from Texas
Apparently, Texas has offered a big NIL deal to Cooper in hopes of swaying him to head to Austin. He has been projected to stay home and play for MIimi, but things can always change at the drop of a hat. Massie NIL deals change everything for these prospects, and Ohio State has already seen that.
Ryan Day refuses to offer huge NIL money to incoming recruits who are unproven. That is not something that is negotiable for them, and that is why they have missed out on some recruits they have been pursuing. Day is okay with that, especially if NIL money is a recruit's top priority.
Cooper will be committing in a week, so the Buckeyes will soon find out if a late push could end up making a difference for them. If a big NIL deal is what is required to get him, he will be playing in either the SEC or the ACC.