Ohio State football program hosts key recruits after strong start to the season

Ohio State is rolling at 4-0 after a solid win over Michigan State, taking down the Spartans 38-7 in East Lansing. Now, they’re gearing up to host Iowa this weekend.

While everyone’s buzzing about the current team, Ohio State is also making waves on the recruiting front. Ryan Day and his coaching staff are relentless when it comes to recruiting, keeping the Buckeyes in the headlines consistently.

Just this past Monday, Ohio State got word that they’ll soon welcome some key 2026 recruits.

One standout is Zavion Griffin-Haynes, a four-star edge rusher from Rolesville, North Carolina. The Buckeyes have been eyeing him since summer, and after an unofficial visit in August, they extended an official offer. Although Griffin-Haynes surprised many by committing to North Carolina earlier this month, Ohio State hasn’t given up on him. He’s got visits planned to Georgia, Florida State, and Chapel Hill, but the Buckeyes are still in the mix for a visit on November 23 when they face Indiana.

Griffin-Haynes ranks as the No. 11 edge rusher in the 247Sports Composite and sits at No. 114 overall, making him a top prospect from North Carolina.

In addition to hosting Griffin-Haynes later, Ohio State is set to bring in another recruit this weekend during their game against Iowa. They’ll welcome Kaden Gebhardt, a three-star safety from nearby Lewis Center, Ohio.

Gebhardt’s recruitment has skyrocketed this summer, and he’s racked up offers from several programs, including Ohio State, Penn State, and many others. This will be his third visit to OSU in a few months, and if it goes well, the Buckeyes could become the frontrunners in his recruitment.

Currently, Gebhardt is ranked as the No. 41 safety in the 247Sports Composite, but with updates on the way, his stock is likely to rise.

With all this recruiting activity, it’s clear the Buckeyes are still focusing on laying the groundwork for future success.