Eric Boggs
Ohio State football recruiting never really sleeps, and this spring is shaping up to be one of the most important stretches in the 2027 cycle while the Buckeyes also lay groundwork in 2028 and beyond. From massive defensive linemen in the Midwest to elite skill talent in the South, the staff in Columbus is casting a wide and aggressive net — and as Buckeye fans, there’s plenty to be excited about.
One of the most intriguing names on the board is Brayden Parks out of Brother Rice in Chicago. The 6-foot-3, 305-pound defensive tackle has trimmed his list to eight schools, and Ohio State made the cut. He’ll be in Columbus on April 10 for what’s shaping up to be a huge recruiting weekend. Parks has built a reputation as a disruptive force inside — quick burst off the snap, violent hands, and the ability to collapse the pocket or swallow up ball carriers. Notre Dame currently leads on some prediction meters, which is no surprise given his proximity to South Bend, but getting him back on campus gives Ohio State a real opportunity to make this a true recruiting battle in the trenches.
That same April 10 weekend will also feature Kaden Henderson, the elite linebacker from Jesuit in Tampa, and wide receiver Miguel Whitley out of New Orleans. Henderson, a 6-foot-1.5, 220-pound five-star, is widely viewed as one of the top linebackers in the country. With James Laurinaitis building a reputation as a relentless recruiter and developer, Ohio State has positioned itself squarely in this national race that also includes Florida, Clemson, Miami and Alabama. Henderson’s sideline-to-sideline speed and physicality scream “future Buckeye captain,” and if Laurinaitis can close here, it would be another statement win at linebacker.
On the offensive side, Ohio State is swinging big even when the odds look long. Benny Easter Jr., a 6-foot-2 receiver from Texas committed to Texas Tech, has locked in an official visit to Columbus on May 29. Pulling a Lone Star State commit away from an in-state program is never easy, but the Buckeyes’ wide receiver legacy — from the Zach Smith era to Brian Hartline and now Cortez Hankton — still resonates nationally. Easter’s track speed and 1,300-yard junior season production make him an intriguing downfield threat. Even getting him on campus post-commitment speaks volumes about Ohio State’s brand power.
In the secondary, Jayden Apparicio-Bailey, one of the nation’s top safeties from Alabama, has Ohio State firmly in his top group and will visit May 11. Long, rangy, and gifted with natural ball skills thanks to playing receiver as well, he fits the modern defensive back mold. Southern powers like Georgia loom large, but Ohio State being the lone northern contender in many of these recruitments continues to show the program’s national pull.
Up front, Marcus Fakatou — a 6-foot-6, 275-pound five-star who reclassified to 2027 — is another headline name planning a Columbus visit. Notre Dame currently trends heavily in his recruitment, a theme that keeps popping up this cycle, but Ohio State is not backing down. Fakatou’s ability to line up anywhere along the defensive line makes him a premium target. The same goes for Jackson Roper, a fast-rising interior offensive lineman from Colorado who has Ohio State in his top ten. Texas A&M may hold momentum there, but the Buckeyes continue to prioritize high-upside trench prospects.
Looking ahead to 2028, Kellen Hall out of Louisville might be the kind of foundational defensive lineman who anchors a class. A five-star and the top defensive lineman nationally in his cycle, Hall already holds offers from Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee, yet he’s reportedly high on Ohio State. His advanced technique and football IQ for his age make him a name Buckeye fans should memorize now. The staff also recently offered 2028 receiver John Matthews from Georgia, adding another dynamic athlete to the early board.
Yes, even 2029 is on the radar. Austin Phillips, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound freshman linebacker/running back from Indiana, has already visited Columbus. It may feel early — maybe too early — but when buzz builds around a prospect that young, establishing relationships matters. Recruiting is as much about timing as it is evaluation.
Back in the 2027 class, Ohio State continues to stack official visits. Hezikiah Kelley, an in-state safety who decommitted from Cincinnati, has earned an offer and will visit March 26. AJ Randle Jr., Nigel Newkirk and Chris Whitehead are all high-level prospects with spring and summer trips scheduled. Whitehead’s situation is particularly interesting given that his younger brother may reclassify and the two want to play together — a potential package deal worth monitoring.
Perhaps the most exciting developments, however, revolve around two elite skill players. David Gabriel Georges, the five-star running back from Baylor School in Tennessee by way of Quebec, is trending heavily toward the Buckeyes with an April 29 visit locked in. Ranked among the top players nationally, he’s drawn comparisons to Ezekiel Elliott for his balance, burst and physical running style. When recruiting insiders start handing out “boom” predictions and the national experts agree, Buckeye fans have reason to feel confident.
Then there’s Eric McFarland III, the explosive IMG Academy receiver who reclassified into 2027. Ranked inside the top 20 nationally with Ohio State heavily favored, McFarland is a dynamic slot weapon with track speed and game-breaking ability. Pairing him with an already loaded receiver room would only further solidify the Buckeyes’ reputation as Wide Receiver U.
Add in defensive lineman Ezekiel Ayangbile from Texas and continued pursuit of elite linebackers and edge rushers, and it’s clear this staff is attacking every level of the roster. Yes, Notre Dame is hot on the trail right now. Yes, southern powers remain formidable. But Ohio State continues to land official visits from the nation’s best across multiple classes — and that’s half the battle in modern recruiting.
For Buckeye fans, the takeaway is simple: the board is loaded, the visits are stacking up, and the momentum is real. If even a handful of these names turn into commitments, the 2027 class — and the foundation being laid for 2028 and 2029 — could keep Ohio State squarely in the national championship conversation for years to come.
