Eric Boggs
Ohio State has made a significant move to ensure the long-term success of its football program by securing one of its most valuable behind-the-scenes leaders. Mark Pantoni, the Buckeyes’ General Manager of Player Personnel, has agreed to a new multi-year contract that will make him one of the highest-paid general managers in college football. This move not only underscores Pantoni’s immense value to the program but also reinforces Ohio State’s commitment to staying at the forefront of college football’s evolving recruiting and roster-building landscape.
Now in his 14th season with the Buckeyes, Pantoni has been a cornerstone of Ohio State’s recruiting dominance. Since joining the program alongside Urban Meyer in 2011, Pantoni has played a pivotal role in constructing elite recruiting classes year after year. Under his guidance, Ohio State has secured 247Sports Composite top-10 recruiting classes in all but one season—2019, during the transition from Meyer to current head coach Ryan Day. That consistency speaks volumes about the infrastructure and vision Pantoni has helped build in Columbus.
Beyond traditional high school recruiting, Pantoni has also been instrumental in navigating the ever-evolving transfer portal era. His efforts in this area were on full display ahead of the 2024 season, when Ohio State brought in one of the most impressive portal classes in the history of college football. The Buckeyes landed game-changing talents including unanimous All-American safety Caleb Downs, Rimington Trophy-winning center Seth McLaughlin, veteran quarterback Will Howard, and dynamic running back Quinshon Judkins. This group is expected to make an immediate and significant impact on the field, and their arrivals are a direct reflection of Pantoni’s meticulous approach and relentless pursuit of excellence.
Head coach Ryan Day recently acknowledged Pantoni’s critical role, saying, “He’s really adapted. His job has changed so much in the past couple of years. He’s killing it right now. He and his staff deserve a huge shoutout here because of some of the work that has been done over the past couple of months.” It’s clear that within the walls of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, Pantoni’s work does not go unnoticed.
Pantoni’s responsibilities go well beyond scouting and evaluations. He oversees every facet of the program’s personnel operations, including high school and transfer portal film evaluations, managing on-campus visits, and handling overall roster construction. In short, he is the architect behind many of the “BOOM!” moments that Buckeye fans eagerly anticipate during recruiting season.
A proud graduate of the University of Florida, Pantoni brought his talents to Columbus after serving in a similar capacity in Gainesville. Over the years, he has become one of the most respected personnel minds in the country. With five consecutive top-five recruiting classes and a proven ability to adapt to the modern demands of college football, Pantoni’s new deal is not just well-deserved—it’s essential for Ohio State’s championship aspirations moving forward.
