In-state 2026 dynamic duo making their rounds, Ohio State fending off other programs to keep current roster intact

A pair of major Ohio State priorities continue to look around at other schools for the time being.

The 2026 in-state defensive back combination of Elbert Hill and Victor Singleton will continue to be a major priority for the Buckeyes in this recruiting cycle. Both ranked in the top 10 at their position, much like the 2024 class, the Buckeyes really only need to look in their backyard when it comes to reloading with elite cornerbacks.

Though they’re Ohio natives, and certainly have high interest in the Buckeyes, they are going through the process and entertaining other schools, proving that it’s not going to be a total walk in the park to make sure they both end up staying close to home for their college careers.

Making trips and planning visits, Hill has shared that he will be making the trek to LA this coming weekend to visit USC, and Singleton too has official visits in the works now with both Michigan and Texas A&M.

Not a shock to see two highly touted players making their rounds, the Buckeyes have been a bit busy still playing and winning a national championship, so their recruiting efforts understandably may have dipped the last few weeks. Now in the offseason, it will be the goal to get both on campus again sooner rather than later to show off their new hardware and continue pitching that the best development they can get is right within their own state lines.

Seeing both make trips to Michigan isn’t fun for any Ohio State recruiting follower to see, but fortunately Tim Walton is on this staff and he tends to hit when it comes to his top targets. Hill and Singleton fit that mold perfectly for 2026.

Rumors surrounding Ohio State stars

Not even a week removed from the national championship, Ohio State is apparently having to fend off their opponents in the offseason in order to keep their roster intact. Rumors swirling all over social media has led to several media outlets trying to make sense of the headlines, but Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate is rumored to be a major target for programs such as Oregon and Texas.

What would be a major blow if Ohio State were to lose him to a team they just played and beat in either instance, the first thing that needs to be addressed this is not confirmed by any means. Sure, when there’s smoke there’s sometimes a fire, but the pieces to this puzzle need to be sorted out before they’re put together and drawn to conclusions that may never come true.

Tate had a smaller role than maybe he would have liked this past season with Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka taking many of the targets, but having three elite players at the position is in large part what makes Ohio State great. Tate leaving for Oregon or Texas is basically the same situation in the 2025 season compared to if he’d just stay at Ohio State, as both of those programs also have receivers they are counting on as top targets on their team.

Yes, Smith will be the “go-to” guy in most cases, but being on the same field as JJ is actually going to only help Tate, as he will see the ball more thanks to how many teams will double-team Smith consistently next season. Egbuka leaving too automatically makes Tate the second leader in the clubhouse for more targets, which in Ohio State’s passing attack is more than enough to feed families.

Not making light of the concern, what the Buckeyes have going for themselves is a national championship season for one, but also Brian Hartline. The connection with Tate and Hartline isn’t something that can be dismissed, and if it’s plain NIL amounts, then certainly the Buckeyes will be able to have their own seat at the table.

Oregon looking at Ohio State’s roster tells a lot about that program. Coming off a great season in their own right, the Ducks are fresh off one of the top signed classes in the country, and one of their key additions is of course five-star receiver Dakorien Moore. Tampering with other team’s rosters isn’t a great testament to the so-called development Oregon seems to hang their hat on.

Selling many of the top recruits in the country one thing and then recruiting right over them isn’t a great glowing recommendation of what they’re wanting to build in Eugene, but that’s recruiting in 2025.

Simply put, the Buckeyes know they are going to have to work to keep opposing programs away from the players they want to keep the most in the current landscape of college football. As pathetic as that is, the NCAA shortcomings are another story for another time. Either way, Ohio State will continue to fight to keep what is rightfully theirs.

Quick Hits

• It comes with success, and Ohio State is at the peak of success right now. Having said that, when a staff reaches the ultimate goals, other programs take notice and want to bring in guys that could step into larger roles. The Buckeyes will see that this offseason with more than a couple of staffers.

Defensive line assistant LaAllan Clark has been a major bright spot for Ohio State in more than one way. From on-field development and coaching to recruiting, Clark has held his own and will make a great full-time position coach in his own right soon.

Unsure of what the position is, it does look like Texas has taken an interest in his abilities, and has already conducted an interview per the buzz on social media. The Buckeyes would love to keep him around, and maybe they will, but he won’t be the only one who is sought out after this offseason.