Eric Boggs
Ohio State’s offensive line recruiting board shifted again this week as three-star tackle Aaron Thomas announced his decommitment from the Buckeyes’ 2026 class. The Arizona native, who originally pledged to Ohio State in June after a strong official visit to Columbus, had recently reopened his recruitment after visiting Florida State, his father’s alma mater, last month. While disappointing, the move wasn’t entirely unexpected.
Thomas’ departure leaves Ohio State with four offensive linemen committed for 2026 — Sam Greer, Maxwell Riley, Landry Brede, and Tucker Smith — and 21 total commitments in the class overall. However, the timing of the decommitment coincides with what could be a positive development for Ryan Day’s staff.
During Ohio State’s 38–14 win over Penn State on Saturday, offensive line coach Tyler Bowen was seen walking off the field with Kevin Brown, a four-star offensive tackle currently committed to the Nittany Lions. Brown, ranked as the No. 61 overall prospect and No. 6 offensive tackle in the 2026 class, has been reconsidering his options after Penn State parted ways with head coach James Franklin. The Pennsylvania native has already visited both West Virginia and Ohio State since reopening his recruitment.
For the Buckeyes, Brown represents not only a potential upgrade in talent but also an opportunity to deliver a symbolic recruiting blow to a key Big Ten rival. Ohio State’s pursuit of Brown has intensified since the weekend, with Bowen and the staff reportedly working to get him back on campus for an official visit later this month.
At 6-foot-6 and 290 pounds, Brown brings elite size, quick feet, and positional versatility, making him an ideal fit for Ohio State’s system. Adding him to a group that already includes three promising in-state linemen would solidify the Buckeyes’ offensive front for the future and help offset the loss of Thomas.
While losing Thomas isn’t ideal, Ohio State’s consistent ability to recover — and even upgrade — in recruiting battles has been a hallmark of Ryan Day’s tenure. With momentum from an undefeated start to the season and continued success on the trail, the Buckeyes remain firmly positioned to reload and strengthen the 2026 offensive line class. Simply put, the message from Columbus is clear: even when Ohio State loses a commitment, it rarely stays down for long.
