The Ohio State football program has the second-lowest-ranked recruiting class in the Ryan Day era. The only class he had that was worse was the 2019 class, when he was transitioning into the head coaching role once Urban Meyer retired. He has had a top-five class every year since then.
2026 was the first time he hadn't had a top-five class. The class is ranked sixth, which still isn't bad. What's frustrating is that this happened in a season after the Buckeyes won a national championship. Fans thought the overall quality of the class was going to be better.
That doesn't mean there isn't talent in this class. In fact, the top end of the class has fans very excited. In fact, in Rivals' final grading of the prospects from the 2026 class, no one has more five-star prospects in this class than the Ohio State Buckeyes.
The Ohio State football team has five five-star recruits in the 2026 class
According to Rivals, the Buckeyes have five five-star recruits. No program has more than that. Only Notre Dame equals that number. Cornerback Jay Timmons is the highest-ranked Ohio State recruit, sitting 12th overall. Chris Henry Jr. is the lowest-ranked five-star recruit at 31st.
Henry Jr. isn't the highest-ranked receiver the Buckeyes landed, according to Rivals. Jerquaden Guilford is rated 17th overall. Both of those players will be looked at as contributors right away after five receivers from last year's team are now off the roster.
Defensive lineman Khary Wilder and linebacker Cincere Johnson are the two other five-star recruits that Ohio State has coming in. Wilder has a shot at playing time right away, while Johnson will have to fight with some guys in front of him on the depth chart for playing time as a true freshman.
With the top part of the class being this talented, Ohio State is set up well for the future. It's now up to the coaches to further develop these guys into playmakers at the next level.