When it comes to Ohio State football recruiting for head man Ryan Day, it's tough to complain about things. Time and time again, the Buckeyes post impressive wins out on the trail, but they are never 100 percent in going after guys high on their board.
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Is this going to end up being the case in the program's pursuit of 5-star offensive tackle Mark Matthews? Matthews is high on the Buckeyes, with Ohio State doing a great job in building a relationship with the Florida product. However, the same can be said for Miami and Mario Cristobal, as Rivals' EJ Holland has reported that the Canes are currently in the lead for him:
It's so important for Miami to get this one over the finish line! https://t.co/RWPceX375i
— Alex Donno (@AlexDonno) February 23, 2026
Ohio State is losing ground in the race to land 5-star OT Mark Matthews
Of course, nothing is finalized yet and there's no set date for when Matthews is going to shut things down and make a decision. However, it's not ideal for Day that Matthews is such a big fan of the Canes. It doesn't help that Texas A&M is also considered a strong contender.
Checking in at 6-5, 300 pounds, Matthews already has incredible size for a high school junior and he's only going to get bigger and stronger once he makes the move to the college ranks. There's a reason so many schools are after him - he holds 35 offers to his name.
Per the 247Sports Composite, Matthews is ranked five stars, the No. 1 offensive tackle in the country and the No. 2 prospect overall for the 2027 class. With him being a stud for St. Thomas Aquinas High in Fort Lauderdale, it makes sense Miami is in the lead for him.
However, Day and the Buckeyes won't go down without a fight. Getting Matthews to campus this spring or summer will be a top priority for Day. It won't be the first time he'll make his way to town too, as the touted playmaker was in Columbus last fall for Ohio State's win over Penn State.