Eric Boggs
Ohio State’s recruiting board continues to evolve as new names surface and familiar targets take important steps forward, a trend highlighted in the latest episode of The OHIO Podcast. With updates in both the 2027 and 2028 classes, the Buckeyes remain active nationally while keeping a close eye on elite talent closer to home.
One of the most notable updates comes from 2027 cornerback Jaden Carey, who recently released a list of schools that includes Ohio State alongside Florida, Miami, Notre Dame, Auburn, Ole Miss, and Oregon. Carey, a standout from St. Thomas Aquinas in Florida, has quickly established himself as a rising name on the national recruiting scene. At 6-foot-1 and 165 pounds, he is a twitchy, high-upside defensive back with strong recovery speed, physicality, and positional versatility. Carey is still growing into his frame, but his ability to play multiple roles in the secondary has caught the attention of college coaches. Ranked inside the top 400 nationally in the 247Sports Composite, Carey is widely viewed as a player who could climb recruiting boards quickly as he adds strength without sacrificing speed.
Another major development came from five-star offensive lineman Maxwell Hiller, who trimmed his recruitment down to four schools: Ohio State, Alabama, Florida, and Tennessee. The interior offensive line prospect from Coatesville, Pennsylvania, is widely regarded as one of the best players at his position in the country and remains a priority target for the Buckeyes. Ohio State staying firmly in Hiller’s top group is significant, especially considering his regional ties and the level of competition involved. His continued interest underscores the Buckeyes’ strong positioning in the trenches as they look to secure elite offensive line talent.
Beyond those updates, several new names have emerged as players Ohio State fans should know. In the 2027 class, safety Karon Eugene has quickly become a significant target. The 6-foot-2, 170-pound defender from New Iberia Catholic High School in Louisiana is a borderline top-100 national prospect and one of the top safeties in his class. Ohio State has reportedly emerged as one of the schools pushing hardest for Eugene, which is notable given how selective the Buckeyes have been at the safety position in this cycle. With commitments already secured from Eli Johnson and Angelo Smith, Ohio State’s pursuit of Eugene signals just how highly he is valued on the board and suggests the staff sees him as a potential difference-maker at the back end of the defense.
Another intriguing new name is tight end Sean Currie from Lawrenceville High School in New Jersey. Currie, who stands 6-foot-7 and weighs around 230 pounds, is a multi-sport athlete currently committed to Virginia but has emerged as a legitimate Ohio State target. A nationally ranked tight end and one of the top players in New Jersey, Currie’s athletic profile stands out, particularly due to his high-level lacrosse background. His combination of size, physicality, and movement skills has reportedly drawn strong interest from Ohio State’s offensive staff, including new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Despite his commitment, Currie is expected to visit Columbus, making him a name worth monitoring closely as the Buckeyes continue to shape their tight end board.
Looking ahead to the 2028 class, two Central Ohio prospects are beginning to gain traction as future recruiting targets. Pickerington North teammates Marquise Ray and Geo McKnight have both emerged as versatile two-way athletes with rising profiles. Ray, a 5-foot-11, 170-pound playmaker who transferred from Westerville North, has already drawn significant attention after excelling at camp settings, including earning top cornerback honors at a Michigan camp. His combination of speed, physicality, and ball skills makes him a strong candidate to eventually project as a defensive back at the next level, even as he continues to contribute offensively.
McKnight, listed at 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, is another versatile defensive back who has impressed evaluators with his instincts and competitiveness. While his offer list is still developing, his ability to read quarterbacks, disrupt passing lanes, and create turnovers has made him a rising name in Central Ohio recruiting circles. Both Ray and McKnight are early in the process, but their development and proximity to Columbus make them natural prospects for Ohio State to track closely moving forward.
As Ohio State continues to balance national recruiting battles with in-state and regional evaluations, these emerging names reflect a board that is both expanding and sharpening. With key targets gaining momentum and new prospects entering the conversation, the Buckeyes remain well-positioned as they build toward future classes.
