Eric Boggs
Even with Penn State struggling through a disappointing season, Saturday’s game in Ohio Stadium remains one of the biggest recruiting showcases of the year for Ohio State. The Buckeyes’ matchup against their long-time rival is expected to deliver a charged atmosphere — the kind that makes a lasting impression on visiting prospects — as Ohio State looks for its ninth straight win over the Nittany Lions and a statement performance against former defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.
With only two home games remaining after this weekend, Saturday’s noon kickoff against Penn State marks Ohio State’s most important recruiting opportunity of the fall. The Buckeyes are set to host an impressive list of visitors, including three key 2026 flip targets, three of the nation’s top four prospects in the 2027 class, and at least nine five-star players from the 2027 and 2028 classes.
Among the headline names, Penn State commit Kevin Brown may be the most intriguing visitor. The No. 4 offensive tackle in the 2026 class and No. 59 overall prospect, Brown committed to the Nittany Lions in July but has reopened his recruitment following James Franklin’s firing. The Buckeyes would love to add the talented lineman to their already strong offensive line haul. Brown also visited West Virginia earlier this week but is expected in Columbus for an unofficial visit, signaling genuine interest from both sides.
Ohio State will also welcome two other potential flips in the 2026 class. Florida State cornerback commit Jay Timmons, the No. 164 overall prospect and son of former Seminole great Lawrence Timmons, will make his way to the Shoe. With Florida State on a four-game losing streak, the timing favors the Buckeyes as they push to add another elite defensive back to a class that already includes Jordan Thomas. Additionally, North Carolina defensive line commit Jimmy-Phrisco Phillips — also known as Jimmy Alo-Suliafu — will be on campus for an official visit. Phillips, a three-star prospect from Texas, received an offer from Ohio State earlier this month and could play either defensive tackle or defensive end at the next level.
While the 2026 class will draw plenty of attention, the 2027 group is stacked with superstar potential. Three of the top four players in the nation — cornerback John Meredith III, offensive tackle Mark Matthews, and offensive tackle Kennedy Brown — are all expected to attend. They’ll be joined by a host of other five-star talents, including former Penn State running back commit Kemon Spell, wide receiver Kesean Bowman, and Texas safety JayQuan Snell. Spell, who recently decommitted from the Nittany Lions, will have a front-row seat to watch his former team take on a program that’s been dominant in head-to-head matchups.
In total, more than a dozen top-100 players from the 2027 class are expected to be on campus. Among them are cornerback Xavier Hasan, wide receiver Khalil Taylor, defensive end Rashad Streets, tight end Jaxon Dollar, offensive tackle Elijah Hutcheson, and linebacker Roman Igwebuike. They’ll be joined by a long list of four-star talents across multiple positions, including several offensive linemen — Cole Reiter, Kalel Johnson, Kellen Wymer, and Reed Ramsier — as well as linebackers Quinton Cypher, Noah Glover, and Sean Fox.
The visitor list extends even further into the future, with three five-star players from the 2028 class also making the trip. No. 1 cornerback A’mir Sears will be in Columbus, along with elite edge defenders Jayden Bell and Darieon Prescott. Hosting top sophomores early in their recruitment has been a hallmark of Ryan Day’s strategy, and this weekend provides another chance to establish Ohio State’s presence with the next generation of elite prospects.
Visitor lists are always fluid, especially for early kickoffs, as some players compete in Friday night games before traveling to Columbus. Still, the projected turnout underscores how much weight this weekend carries for the Buckeyes’ recruiting momentum.
Ohio State’s top goal on Saturday remains clear — handle business on the field and extend its winning streak over Penn State. But beyond the scoreboard, a dominant performance in front of a packed Shoe filled with blue-chip recruits could set the tone for the Buckeyes’ next few recruiting classes. Winning impressively has always been Ohio State’s best recruiting pitch, and this weekend, the Buckeyes have a prime opportunity to show why Columbus remains one of college football’s ultimate destinations.
