Kemon Spell

As Ohio State prepares to host No. 1 Texas at Ohio Stadium on August 30, the recruiting excitement brewing off the field nearly matches the drama on it. Not only are the Buckeyes set to open their season against the Longhorns in a clash of top-3 programs, but Coach Ryan Day and his staff are staging one of their most loaded recruiting weekends in recent memory. The Shoe isn’t just a battleground on Saturday—it’s a recruiting cauldron bubbling over with elite talent.

The headline grabber, of course, is five-star Pennsylvania running back Kemon Spell, the top-ranked back in the 2027 class and currently committed to Penn State. Spell confirmed he’ll be in Columbus for the opener and told On3 that six schools—including Ohio State, Tennessee, USC, Alabama, Notre Dame, and Michigan—have a shot at flipping his commitment. That admission raises eyebrows, but it also underscores how momentous this weekend is.

Ohio State isn’t missing a beat. On3’s early visitor list reveals a rich gathering of 2027 targets: Spell leads the charge, followed closely by fellow four-star running backs David Gabriel Georges (from Chattanooga’s Baylor School), Noah Roberts (Chandler, AZ), Elijah Kimble (Buffalo, NY), Asa Barnes (Martin, TN), and Wayne Shanks (The Kinkaid School, Houston). Each name brings unique value to the running-back board and intensifies the competition for OSU to close.

But the variety doesn’t end there. Land-Grant Holy Land reports that five-star wide receiver Easton Royal from New Orleans—the No. 3 WR nationally—will also be on campus this weekend. While Ohio State hasn’t offered yet, the sense is that a visit this influential could change that quickly. Adding to the defensive side of things, BuckeyeSports.com highlights that existing commit Favour Akih, along with other Buckeye commitments like Jerquaden Guilford, Corbyn Fordham, Cincere Johnson, CJ Sanna, and more, will be back in the stands, sending a message of class support.

Beyond the visitor listings, the Buckeyes also extended a timely offer to four-star Maryland defensive lineman Joseph Buchanan, ranked among the top 225 nationally and No. 23 at his position, who brings size, athleticism, and a laundry list of high-major offers.

Meanwhile, not every recruit will be present this weekend. Quarterback commit Brady Edmunds has pushed his visit back to the Grambling State game due to a scheduling conflict, but remains fully pledged and active in helping OSU recruit peers.

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Projected Visitors for the Texas Game:

2027 Class:

  • Kemon Spell (five-star RB, currently Penn State commit)
  • David Gabriel Georges (four-star RB, Tennessee)—third campus visit of the year
  • Noah Roberts, Elijah Kimble, Asa Barnes, Wayne Shanks (four-star RBs from across the country)
  • Easton Royal (five-star WR, No. 3 receiver nationally)

Other Recruits & Commitments:

  • Favour Akih, Jerquaden Guilford, Corbyn Fordham, Maxwell Riley, Cincere Johnson, CJ Sanna, plus others—2026 class returning to show their support

The Shoe will be packed not only with Buckeye faithful but with high-stakes prospects who could define the class of 2027. This game isn’t just a battle for College Football Playoff momentum—it’s a recruiting launchpad. Ohio State has the chance to dazzle Kemon Spell, make waves with Easton Royal, and reinforce relationships with David Gabriel Georges, all while stacking on new talent like Joseph Buchanan and rallying its own commited ranks. For Buckeye Nation, this feels like the start of not just a season, but a dynasty in the making.