Eric Boggs
Ohio State continues to make waves on the recruiting trail, with another elite prospect set to visit Columbus next week. According to 247Sports, four-star defensive end Jake Kreul from Florida will be on campus Monday as the Buckeyes kick off their spring football practice. Kreul, ranked as the No. 37 overall prospect and the No. 5 edge rusher in the 2026 class per 247Sports’ composite rankings, is a highly sought-after talent. He previously visited Ohio State in November for the Buckeyes’ rivalry showdown against Michigan and received his scholarship offer last June after an impressive performance at an OSU recruiting camp.
Kreul has already demonstrated his potential as a game-changer on the field. During his junior season, the 6-foot-3, 230-pound standout recorded 39 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, six sacks, and 11 quarterback hits. His visit to Columbus will be another opportunity for Ohio State’s coaching staff to solidify its standing in his recruitment.
The Buckeyes also secured a significant commitment earlier this week from four-star Ohio offensive tackle Maxwell Riley. The 6-foot-5, 280-pound lineman chose Ohio State over Clemson, bolstering the Buckeyes’ offensive line prospects for the 2026 cycle. Riley, ranked No. 114 nationally and the No. 9 offensive tackle in his class, will not only be a key player for the Buckeyes in the future but also serve as a strong peer recruiter to help bring more top talent to Columbus. His commitment was met with enthusiasm across social media, with fellow recruits and Ohio State staff members celebrating the decision.
While Ohio State gained Riley’s pledge, Clemson made headlines by securing multiple commitments over the past week, including two Buckeye targets—offensive tackle Adam Guthrie and safety Kaden Gebhardt. Gebhardt, a Columbus native, opted to take his talents to Clemson, but Ohio State remains well-positioned at the safety position with several top-tier targets still in play. Among them are Simeon Caldwell, Bralan Womack, and Blaine Bradford, each of whom remains a priority for the Buckeyes’ 2026 class.
In another notable development, five-star Ohio cornerback Elbert Hill has scheduled his official visits for the summer, though none currently include Ohio State. Hill plans to visit LSU, USC, Oregon, and Alabama, but it would be premature to count the Buckeyes out of this recruitment. He and his family have made multiple trips to Columbus in recent months, and another visit this spring could pave the way for an official trip to Ohio State later in the process.
The Buckeyes also received promising news regarding one of their top safety targets, Bralan Womack. The five-star prospect from Mississippi has locked in his official visit to Ohio State for June 20, adding the Buckeyes to a list that includes Auburn, Florida, and Texas A&M. Womack has already visited Columbus twice—once during a summer camp where he earned his offer and again in the fall for a game-day experience. He has spoken highly of Ohio State’s ability to develop and sustain NFL-caliber defensive backs, citing standout alumni such as Marshon Lattimore, Denzel Ward, Jeff Okudah, Eli Apple, and Malcolm Jenkins as examples of the program’s success in preparing players for long-term professional careers.
As the Buckeyes continue to build momentum in the 2026 recruiting cycle, the upcoming visits and commitments will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Ohio State football. With elite prospects like Kreul and Womack giving the program serious consideration, the Buckeyes remain well-positioned to add top-tier talent to an already formidable roster.
