Eric Boggs
Ohio State entered the 2026 National Signing Day facing more uncertainty than usual, but by the end of the day, the Buckeyes emerged with one of the nation’s strongest classes—and a clear message from Ryan Day that the program’s culture and stability remain intact.
The Buckeyes secured 25 signees, including 18 four-star recruits, reinforcing a roster that Day emphasized must remain “as good as anybody in the country.” Despite losing wide receivers coach Brian Hartline to USF, Ohio State held firm on the majority of its commitments and even landed a few critical signing-day flips.
Among the headliners was four-star safety Kaden Gebhardt, who flipped from Clemson to join his high school teammate, linebacker CJ Sanna, in staying home at Ohio State. The Buckeyes also added standout edge rusher Dre Quinn, offensive tackles Sam Greer and Max Riley, and defensive linemen Emanuel Ruffin and Damari Simeon, continuing a strong defensive front rebuild.
On offense, Ohio State brought in four-star quarterback Luke Fahey, wide receivers Brock Boyd and Jaeden Ricketts, and four-star running back Favour Akih, who returned from a high ankle sprain late in his senior season. The class also included elite defensive backs Blaine Bradford, Simeon Caldwell, Khmari Bing, and cornerbacks Jordan Thomas and Jay Timmons, both of whom chose the Buckeyes over national powers.
But the most-watched storyline of the day revolved around five-star wide receiver Chris Henry Jr., the crown jewel of Ohio State’s 2026 class. Henry, who committed to the Buckeyes in 2023 and reaffirmed that commitment in 2025, stepped onto the stage with three hats—Ohio State, Oregon, and USC. He selected the Buckeyes publicly but did not sign his letter of intent as he continued weighing his options in the wake of Hartline’s departure.
With Kayden Dixon-Wyatt and Legend Bey flipping elsewhere and Jerquaden Guilford remaining unsigned, Hartline’s exit created ripples—but far from the instability some expected.
Ryan Day addressed the moment head-on Wednesday, making clear that the foundation of the Ohio State football program does not rest on any single coach.
“I said it in the past before we were in these types of situations, you know, this certainly, you know, the way and the timing of all this, we’re trying to get ready to go play in the NLF, that’s the focus right now and, you know, that part is not easy for anybody and so, you know, at the end of the day, you know, we try to, you know, make sure that we remind everybody that, you know, there’s great stability, you know, there’s things that’ll happen but, you know, at the end of the day, this culture is strong and, you know, there is strong stability here in a time when there’s not a lot of stability and so that’s it and, you know, we’re just gonna take every day as it comes, it’s easy to get frustrated, throw your hands up, I’ve said that a million times, that’s not gonna happen, so we’re just gonna keep pushing, moving forward and, you know, make sure that everybody understands that, you know, in this world where there’s a lot that comes with it, you know, this is still about relationships and we’re gonna pour into these players and into these coaches and that’s our job and so while it changes, it’s still about that part of the game of football and coaching and that’s not gonna change here at Ohio State, so, you know, we just got off the field, my mind’s on Indiana and playing this game but at the same time, we just had signing day today, which is just amazing to me but we’re gonna keep swinging away and we have to make sure we’re doing everything we can to make sure our roster is as good as anybody in the country.”
Day’s message was unmistakable: while coaching changes are inevitable, the culture at Ohio State is not only strong—it’s resilient. His focus on relationships, player development, and day-to-day consistency is what allows the Buckeyes to weather transitions without losing sight of their championship standards.
The 2026 class reflects that stability. With a deep group of defenders, a promising quarterback, and multiple skill-position talents, the Buckeyes remain firmly positioned near the top of the national recruiting landscape. And while all eyes will continue to monitor Chris Henry Jr.’s final decision, the core of Ohio State’s class is already intact.
Even with Hartline preparing to lead his own program, Ryan Day’s Buckeyes showed once again that the strength of Ohio State football lies in its foundation—one built on leadership, culture, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
