Ohio State is in prime position to land one of the top running back recruits in the 2025 class, Anthony "Turbo" Rogers. With just a few weeks until National Signing Day on December 4, the Buckeyes have made a strong push to flip Rogers, who recently de-committed from Alabama after being committed to the Crimson Tide for nearly a year.
Rogers, a 5-foot-8, 195-pound running back from Montgomery, Alabama, made his official visit to Ohio State during their 45-0 win over Purdue. Following the visit, On3' Alex Gleitman reported it became clear that Ohio State had made significant progress in the race for his commitment, especially with the influence of Buckeyes running backs coach Carlos Locklyn. On top of that, he also sees an opportunity for early playing time with both Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson projected to leave for the NFL draft.
247's Bill Kuerlic also reported that Locklyn is from Montgomery and has had a long-standing relationship with Rogers and his family, having recruited him since the eighth grade. This connection has given Ohio State an edge over other top programs like Georgia, which remains Rogers' other top choice.
Georgia also presents a strong case with its player development and success in sending players to the NFL, but the allure of early playing time and his deep connection with Locklyn swayed his mom. Alex Gleitman also said in his report that Rogers’ mom initially had reservations about Ohio State due to the distance from Montgomery, but it seems those concerns have been addressed, making the Buckeyes the frontrunner heading into Signing Day.
Rogers, a four-star recruit, is ranked as the No. 8 running back in the country by 247 Composite Ranking. He has drawn comparisons to former Ohio State standout Curtis Samuel, thanks to his ability to contribute in multiple roles on offense. If Rogers ultimately chooses Ohio State, he would join a talented running back class that already includes Bo Jackson and Isaiah West.
As Rogers prepares to make his final decision between Ohio State and Georgia on National Signing Day, all signs point to the Buckeyes' strong chance of landing this electrifying prospect.