Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day has already done the heavy lifting for his program. Now, his team must focus on getting a group together quickly that was ravaged by the NFL draft and the Transfer Portal this spring.
Cleveland.com's Andrew Gillis noted that the Buckeyes already have the crux of their 2027 recruiting class in tow, unlike the last two years when Day and Co. split time between the recruiting trail and modifying the playbook, and can focus on the things that win games in the immediate.
"The Buckeyes already have nine pledges in the 2027 class, including a quarterback -- which they did not have at this time a year ago for the 2026 cycle -- three offensive linemen and two five-star players (edge rusher David Jacobs and receiver Jamier Brown). The backbone of the class, should they hang onto everyone, is put together," Gillis wrote.
"In the last two springs, Ohio State has gotten very active and very quickly in its spring practice window on the recruiting trail. In 2025, the Buckeyes put the finishing touches on their class once the leaves began to change and senior film came out about graduating seniors.
"This year, while a busy spring season still could be the case, Ohio State has itself in a position to where there may be less fireworks than usual."
Ohio State football is in a better place to win in 2026 than 2025
Obviously, the Buckeyes had a longer offseason this year than last, since they didn't advance past the second round of the CFP after losing the Cotton Bowl Classic to the Miami Hurricanes on New Year's Eve, but won it all in January 2025. That alone puts this upcoming campaign in a better place to start.
That Day already nabbed headline names like Blessed Trinity Catholic Titans EDGE DJ Jacobs out of a talent hotbed, the Atlanta metro, and in-state 5-star Big Walnut Golden Eagles receiver Jamier Brown of the Columbus area is massive. Day signed a defender from the Deep South and kept an elite skill-position threat in Buckeye territory at home. He also kept a hungry fanbase satisfied, not that any Ohio State fan is completely sold on the idea that either of these players' recruitment is done.
Getting the current roster focused on the mission at hand is crucial. If there can be a championship mindset established on day one, the Buckeyes won't have to worry about things falling apart at the end. Because talent could've won in 2025 if it was on the same page, but Brian Hartline's exit caused far too many issues for the offense, and the defense ran out of gas when it mattered most.