Eric Boggs
Ohio State’s 2026 recruiting momentum continued this week with the addition of three-star safety Khmari Bing, who announced his commitment to the Buckeyes after decommitting from Maryland. The St. Frances Academy standout becomes the 22nd member of Ryan Day’s 2026 class and the second commitment in as many days for Ohio State, following offensive tackle Landry Brede’s flip from NC State.
Bing, a 6-foot, 190-pound defensive back from Washington, D.C., had been committed to Maryland since August before Ohio State offered in September. After visiting Columbus for the Buckeyes’ 42-3 win over Minnesota on October 4, his recruitment quickly shifted. “They are dogs,” Bing said after the visit. “They play hard football and they coach you. I was talking to my family and we thought this might be a great decision.” A week later, he made it official, choosing Ohio State over programs like Alabama and Indiana, both of which had scheduled official visits with him in November.
Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and safeties coach Matt Guerrieri played key roles in securing Bing’s commitment, selling him on the way Ohio State disguises its coverages and develops versatile safeties. “I like how they disguise their coverages,” Bing said. “They play normal coverages and they disguise it well. Pre-snap is going to mess up the quarterback’s head.” Guerrieri also made it clear that Ohio State views Bing as one of the premier free safeties in the 2026 class, and the opportunity for early playing time helped seal the deal. “They tell me I will have a chance to come in and start as a freshman,” Bing said. “It means a lot that I can leave my name out there as a true freshman and hopefully become a freshman All-American.”
Ranked No. 914 overall in the 247Sports composite and No. 21 in Maryland, Bing’s stock has been rising quickly thanks to his strong senior season. His coach at St. Frances Academy, Messay Hailemariam, praised Bing’s instincts and versatility. “He has this keen ability to get interceptions,” Hailemariam said. “He creates turnovers and he is always around the football. He’s long enough to play either safety spot or corner. He’s multi-dimensional and someone the whole DB room could use.”
Bing has backed up that reputation with consistent production on the field. In St. Frances’ season opener against Chaminade-Madonna Prep—featuring fellow Buckeye commit Angelo Smith—he recorded a pick-six and showcased his ability to make plays in coverage and against the run. His frame and playing style have drawn comparisons to current Buckeyes Jaylen McClain and Lorenzo Styles Jr., and with time in Mickey Marotti’s strength and conditioning program, he could develop into a similarly physical and versatile presence in the secondary.
Ohio State now has three safeties in its 2026 class, joining five-star Blaine Bradford and top-100 prospect Simeon Caldwell, giving the Buckeyes one of the nation’s deepest defensive back hauls. Bing’s commitment also marks another recruiting win for Patricia and Guerrieri, who continue to build a defensive foundation centered on versatility and aggressiveness.
For Bing, the decision is about more than football—it’s about legacy. “It means a lot,” he said. “I can start the pipeline.” And for Ohio State, landing another high-upside defender from one of the nation’s premier high school programs signals that the Buckeyes’ defensive recruiting machine under Ryan Day is as strong as ever.
