Eric Boggs
Ohio has long been one of the nation’s most fertile recruiting grounds, and when Ohio State leans into the state’s powerhouse programs, good things tend to follow. Archbishop Hoban in Akron continues to churn out Division I talent, and the Buckeyes made a significant in-state statement by offering standout brothers Brayton and Brydon Feister, placing one of the state’s premier football families firmly on the radar in Columbus.
The older of the two, Brayton Feister, has been trending toward must-get territory for some time, and Ohio State’s offer only confirmed what many around the state already believed. A class of 2027 prospect with a college-ready frame at roughly 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, Brayton plays on both sides of the ball for Hoban but projects most naturally as a linebacker at the next level. Ranked among the nation’s top athletes by the 247Sports Composite, he brings good-to-great athleticism, strong instincts, and a physical edge that shows up in run pursuit, pass rush, and his ability to strip the football and create turnovers. His willingness to line up wherever the team needs him speaks to coachability, a trait Ohio State covets, and it’s no coincidence that linebackers coach James Laurinaitis made an in-person stop in Northeast Ohio to evaluate him.
Brayton’s offer sheet underscores just how competitive this recruitment is becoming. Notre Dame, Michigan, Oregon, USC, Penn State, Indiana, and others have already entered the fray, and more national programs are expected to follow. Within Ohio recruiting circles, he has long been viewed as one of the top prospects in the state regardless of position, and his background as a high-level wrestler only adds to his appeal. Former Ohio State All-American Tim Anderson has been a vocal advocate for multi-sport athletes, particularly wrestlers, and those traits are evident in Brayton’s balance, leverage, and toughness on the football field.
While Brayton garners much of the early spotlight, his younger brother Brydon is quickly emerging as a name Buckeye fans should know well. A class of 2028 athlete already standing around 6-foot-3 and over 210 pounds, Brydon plays both middle linebacker and tight end at Hoban, though his future appears brightest on the defensive side of the ball. Well built and physical, he shows a strong football IQ, quickness through the hole, and a natural feel for contact. For a player his age, his ability to clean up plays and break up big gains stands out, and evaluators believe he may ultimately grow even bigger than his older brother. Though he remains unranked nationally for now, nearly double-digit Division I offers suggest that will change soon.
For Ohio State, the Feister brothers represent exactly the type of in-state evaluation win that can pay long-term dividends. Keeping elite Ohio prospects home has always been a priority, especially when Big Ten rivals and national brands are circling. With Laurinaitis leading the charge at linebacker and the Buckeyes reasserting their presence in Northeast Ohio, the groundwork is being laid early. If momentum continues, Brayton and Brydon Feister could become the next chapter in Ohio State’s tradition of turning elite Ohio high school defenders into impact players in scarlet and gray.
