Eric Boggs
Recruiting never stops in college football, and with the national championship celebrations behind them, the Buckeye coaching staff is back on the road, working hard to secure top talent for future classes. From quarterback prospects to defensive standouts and offensive playmakers, Ohio State continues to expand its recruiting footprint nationwide.
One of Ohio State’s premier quarterback targets in the 2026 class is back on the market.
Four-star quarterback Brady Smigiel, a standout from California, announced his decommitment from Florida State on Sunday. His decision comes just a day after Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly visited him. While Smigiel’s decommitment isn’t solely related to Ohio State, Florida State’s recent shift in offensive philosophy under newly hired coordinator Gus Malzahn may have played a role in his decision.
Smigiel, a 6-foot-5, 205-pound prospect, is expected to explore several top programs, including Ohio State, Michigan, UCLA, Washington, Michigan State, and South Carolina. He plans to visit multiple schools this spring as he reassesses his options. The talented quarterback is ranked as the No. 62 overall player and No. 5 quarterback in the 2026 class, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. His junior season was impressive, completing 219 of 336 passes for 3,521 yards with 49 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He also showcased his mobility, rushing for 435 yards and 11 scores.
Secondary coach Tim Walton made an immediate stop to visit five-star in-state cornerback Elbert Hill, a top target in Ohio State’s 2026 defensive back recruiting efforts. Offensive line coach Justin Frye also focused on in-state talent, visiting four-star offensive tackle Adam Guthrie, who was in attendance at OSU’s championship celebration over the weekend.
Chip Kelly remained active on the West Coast, checking in on three-star 2026 tight end Colby Simpson during a workout. While Simpson has yet to receive an Ohio State offer, the Buckeyes appear intent on adding a second tight end for the third straight recruiting cycle. Kelly and co-offensive coordinator Brian Hartline also visited powerhouse Mater Dei High School, where they are working to solidify the commitment of five-star wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. and evaluate 2026 targets Kayden Dixon-Wyatt (WR) and Mark Bowman (TE).
Additionally, offensive analyst Billy Fessler stepped in for recently departed defensive coordinator Jim Knowles on the recruiting trail. Fessler visited four-star 2026 quarterback Peyton Falzone as the Buckeyes continue their search for top-tier signal-callers.
Running backs coach Carlos Locklyn extended an offer to four-star 2027 running back Amir Brown over the weekend. Brown, a North Carolina native, now holds 15 Division I offers, including interest from Penn State, North Carolina, Louisville, Maryland, and Stanford. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound back rushed for 612 yards and 11 touchdowns last season while also adding 269 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.
In a significant development, four-star tight end Mark Bowman has reclassified from the 2027 to the 2026 recruiting cycle. With this change, Bowman is now ranked as the No. 81 overall prospect and No. 4 tight end in the 2026 class. His recruitment is heating up, with Ohio State making his final list of 12 schools, which also includes Texas, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Alabama, USC, Arizona State, Miami, Florida, Oregon, Georgia, and LSU.
Ohio State’s 2027 quarterback commit, Brady Edmunds, has already begun actively recruiting Bowman, hoping to add another elite playmaker to the Buckeyes’ future offense.
