Eric Boggs
Jake Cook has worked extremely hard to become part of Ohio State’s 2025 recruiting class. The standout from Westerville North spent a year improving his body, losing more than 40 pounds, and refining his technique to become a prospect worthy of Ohio State.
Cook’s journey didn’t stop there. He had to go through two workouts with the Buckeyes in June before he was even considered for an offer. Despite his efforts, an offer wasn’t immediately extended, leading to some disappointment.
However, that changed with a phone call from Justin Frye on the Saturday before Father’s Day.
“He called me and asked what I was doing. I was just chilling and had just finished golfing. He asked what I got my dad for Father’s Day. I admitted I still needed to do that. Then he said, ‘How about you take him to Ohio State on an official visit next week and announce your commitment at dinner?’ I was like, ‘What?’ He said, ‘Yeah, you’ve got an offer to Ohio State now.’”
Jake Cook per Eleven Warriors
Cook, a lifelong Buckeyes fan who lives in Westerville, Ohio, accepted the offer immediately. Though he had been committed to Louisville since February, he withdrew his pledge a few days after receiving the offer from Ohio State. Cook announced his commitment to OSU on the Friday of his official visit and made it public two days later.
“It’s a huge blessing for me, it’s every Ohio kid’s dream to be a part of the Buckeyes. I’m excited to compete against the best and be coached by the best every day. It’s a blessing and I’m ready to work. It didn’t really hit me until I woke up the next morning. I was like, ‘Oh God, this really happened.’”
Jake Cook per Eleven Warriors
With Cook’s commitment, Ohio State now has two offensive linemen for 2025 and 18 total commits. Cook joins fellow in-state lineman Carter Lowe. The Buckeyes still hope to add up to three more linemen in this cycle, with top targets including David Sanders Jr., Josh Petty, and Jayvon McFadden.
According to 247Sports’ composite rankings, Cook is the No. 616 prospect and the No. 39 interior offensive lineman in the 2025 class.
Cook has played left tackle for his high school the past two seasons and left guard his freshman year. In Columbus, he will primarily play center but plans to play all five positions on the offensive line for Westerville North this season.
The 6-foot-5, 295-pound Cook says he will enroll early and be in Columbus this January.
As the offensive line is a developmental position, it may take a year or two for Cook to become game-ready.
While Cook may not have been on the Buckeyes’ radar until recently, he has made significant strides in a short time. He impressed many by dominating at the Under Armour Next Camp in May, where he was named a positional MVP. He also surprised Frye and Ryan Day at OSU’s first recruiting camp, leading Day to say Cook made them reevaluate their recruiting board.
If Cook continues his hard work throughout his OSU career, he could have a very successful collegiate career with the Buckeyes.
