Why are they still recruiting this guy? They already have four receivers, including a five-star phenom and another ranked in the top five, in their 2026 class. Why are the Buckeyes working so hard to land a guy who is not even ranked in the top 50 at the position, much less the top 20? It’s actually a very simple answer. Brian Hartline.
If Hartline, the Buckeyes’ ultra-successful receivers coach wants a three-star receiver ranked only 68th at the position (according to 24/7’s Composite Rankings), you can bet he’s seeing a level of skillset others are not in Jerquaden Guilford.
Guilford (6’2”, 190 pounds) from Ft. Wayne, IN, is as interested in Ohio State as they are in him. His official visit is scheduled for this upcoming weekend, but he was on campus Tuesday for one of the one-day camps Ryan Day and his staff are running this week.
The one-time Penn State commit has visited Indiana and Michigan recently, and has some interest in Ole Miss. But when you hear him say he wants to go to a wide receiver-oriented school that puts players in the NFL and will develop him off the field as well, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out he has a very strong interest in the Buckeyes.
Hartline is getting help in recruiting Guilford from current Buckeye receiver Mylan Graham, who is also a native of Ft. Wayne. Graham was seen cheering on Guilford’s every move at the camp.
If you’re wondering why I have so much faith in Hartline to identify and develop receivers, consider this. In the last four NFL Drafts, five of his receivers have been chosen in the first round. FIVE. So, if he thinks a player ranked 435th overall nationally is worth recruiting, I’m on board with no questions asked. Guilford will make his decision on June 27th.