It's been a swinging door of elite prospects coming into Ohio State this spring, as it is most of the time during recruiting evaluation season. But most Buckeyes might place five-star offensive lineman Maxwell Hiller in the super elite category, not just because of his skill set and high ceiling, but because he has the ability to completely transform an offensive line.
If there was a sore spot for Ohio State last year, it was on the lines, especially the offensive line. The unit was fine, but they weren't championship quality, and it showed late in the season when the group struggled against Indiana and Miami.
That makes Hiller, the top interior offensive line prospect in the nation, a major priority for Ryan Day and the staff, and they will have a chance to make up some ground in his recruitment during his spring visit on April 1.
INTEL: Five-star offensive lineman Maxwell HIller just mapped out his final spring visits before decision time.
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong_) March 11, 2026
Family ties, coaching stability, and freshman development opportunities all factoring into his choice.
Read: https://t.co/cq2WaYQTxA pic.twitter.com/rnVm7yxJBv
5-star OL Maxwell Hiller will visit Ohio State on April 1
It's probably safe to say that the Buckeyes aren't the top school for Hiller right now and, from what the Coatesville, Pennsylvania native has said, Florida is the program that everyone is chasing. But Ohio State is in there with Alabama and Tennessee as his top four and that gives Day some runway to put the Buckeyes in a better position.
And Hiller is a very important target for Day. This staff has been extremely successful in recruiting at nearly every position on the field. Quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs, defensive backs, linebackers...you name it, the Buckeyes get top guys. But the offensive line recruiting hasn't gotten the same fanfare as the other positions.
And it's not to say the offensive line recruiting has been bad. The Buckeyes have had some dudes up front during Day's time as head coach. Paris Johnson is one of those dudes and Josh Simmons was a first-round pick last year, but with the high level of recruiting that Day has done, they haven't landed that superstar on the offensive line that shakes up the foundation. I'm talking about the Orlando Pace type of prospect that you know is going to be a unanimous All-American and an Outland Trophy winner.Â
Hiller could be that player for Day, but it's going to take some work to make it happen.Â