Eric Boggs
Ohio State continues to prove why it’s one of the premier recruiting programs in college football. On Thursday, the Buckeyes landed a major addition to their 2026 class when four-star cornerback Jay Timmons flipped his commitment from Florida State to Ohio State.
Timmons, ranked as the No. 17 cornerback and No. 136 overall prospect in the 2026 cycle according to 247Sports’ composite rankings, becomes the 22nd commitment in the class and the second cornerback, joining fellow blue-chip prospect Jordan Thomas. Together, they form one of the most talented defensive back tandems in the country for their recruiting year.
A 5-foot-11, 185-pound product of Pine-Richland High School in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, Timmons has had one of the more eventful recruitments in the 2026 cycle. He originally committed to Indiana in April, then flipped to Florida State in June. But after an official visit to Columbus for Ohio State’s matchup against Penn State, the Buckeyes’ tradition of elite defensive back development and the stability of Tim Walton’s program proved too strong to resist.
Walton, Ohio State’s highly respected cornerbacks coach, had identified Timmons as a priority target earlier this fall. Following weeks of film evaluation, he extended an offer on Sept. 16 and stayed in constant contact. During Timmons’ visit on Nov. 1, Walton made it clear that the Pennsylvania native would be a crucial piece in the Buckeyes’ future secondary. That level of connection and clarity helped sway Timmons away from Florida State — even though he’s the son of former Seminoles and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Lawrence Timmons.
So far in his senior season, Timmons has shown why he’s one of the fastest-rising prospects in the country, recording 21 tackles, one tackle for loss, and six pass breakups. While he’s capable of playing outside, many scouts project him as a high-ceiling slot cornerback, a position Ohio State values for its combination of speed, physicality, and versatility.
Timmons’ commitment not only fills the void left after Jakob Weatherspoon’s earlier flip to North Carolina but also reinforces Ohio State’s dominance in developing top-tier defensive backs. Over the years, Walton and the Buckeyes have built a proven track record of sending corners to the NFL, a fact not lost on recruits like Timmons.
With his pledge, Ohio State adds another cornerstone to its 2026 recruiting class — a class that continues to blend elite talent with positional balance. For Buckeye fans, flipping a Florida State legacy who projects as an impact defensive back is yet another sign that the future in Columbus remains as bright as ever.
