Ohio State hosts nation’s No. 1 OL, sends out trio of new offers

The Buckeyes continue to utilize their spring practice periods as an asset on the recruiting trail.

The first week of spring practice is now in the books for Ohio State, and with it came a great early glimpse of this current crop of Buckeyes. Additionally, it has already provided the coaching staff with an excellent recruiting tool, as prospects from all across the country have flocked to Columbus to watch the reigning national champions prepare for next season.

One of those prospects was none other than Jackson Cantwell, the No. 1 overall player in the 2026 class as well as, of course, the top offensive tackle in the cycle. The Missouri native just wrapped up a multi-day visit to Ohio State, his second trip to the school after taking in one of the Buckeyes’ College Football Playoff practices back in December.

Ryan Day and Tyler Bowen are obviously making a heavy push for the five-star offensive lineman. Cantwell was the first player Day made a trip to visit shortly after Ohio State won its title, and Bowen is making up for lost time after joining the Buckeyes’ staff in February. Ohio State is included among Cantwell’s top six schools, but is the only one of the group without an official visit date set. Bowen will look to change that coming off this most recent visit.

Elsewhere, Ohio State sent out a trio of new offers following spring practice on Friday.

Remaining on the offensive line theme, one of those offers went out to 2026 IOL Tucker Smith. The 6-foot-5, 280-pound recruit is the No. 10 player out of his home state of Arizona as well as the No. 68 IOL in the country, per 247Sports’ rankings.

Smith holds a dozen offers to his name from the likes of Arizona State, Kansas State, Minnesota, USC, Washington and now Ohio State. Despite being listed as an interior lineman, Smith plays tackle at Sandra Day O’Connor, showcasing his versatility and being know for playing with an edge. His recruitment has seen a bit of an uptick at the turn of the calendar, having also recently been named Arizona Republic’s First Team All-Arizona.

A last name that will likely sound familiar to football fans, Ohio State also extended an offer on Friday to 2027 safety/linebacker, Cooper Witten — the son of 11-time Pro Bowl tight end, Jason Witten. The former is the No. 1 safety and No. 24 player nationally per the 247Sports Composite, but James Laurinaitis and the Buckeyes are recruiting the multi-talented prospect as a linebacker.

“I was really excited to get that offer from Ohio State because they are an elite program coming off of an outstanding season,” Witten told Bucknuts. “It was my first time [at Ohio State] seeing everything, so it was super cool seeing what they are all about. I got to spend some time with coach (James) Laurinaitis on the visit and he is a great coach who has a big heart for the players.”

A true do-it-all type of athlete, Witten plays multiple positions on the football field as well as playing basketball and running track. As a freshman in 2023, the 6-foot-2 multi-level defender registered 82 tackles, four TFLs, two picks and two forced fumbles while also blocking three kicks. Witten plans to make a return trip to Columbus in the fall to see the Buckeyes in action.

Last but not least, Ohio State also sent out an offer on Friday afternoon to 2027 athlete, Nate Carson. The 6-foot-4, 270-pound lineman plays both offensive tackle and defensive end, but the Buckeyes are recruiting him on offense.

Ohio State is among the early offers for Carson, joining a small group that includes Alabama, Florida, Florida State, South Carolina and a few others. His visit to campus this past weekends sounds like it went very well, and it is clear Bowen is already having a tremendous impact on the Buckeyes’ offensive line recruiting.

“I loved everything about Ohio State; everything was just perfect,” Carson told Bucknuts. “The practice was very intense. I loved how everybody competed and how the coaches coach their players. The visit was amazing. Talking to coach Bowen and the other O-line coaches was great. I can say Ohio State makes you feel welcome. Everybody talks to you, players included. Overall Ohio State in general is amazing.”

Quick Hits:

• Another big name in attendance for Ohio State this past weekend was 2026 four-star running back Jae Lamar. Listed as the No. 7 RB and the No. 94 prospect nationally per the 247Sports Composite, Lamar has official visits set with four other schools, but plans to add the Buckeyes to the list after a successful visit. He has a commitment date set for July 4.

• Five-star 2027 defensive lineman Chris Whitehead has an upcoming visit planned with Ohio State. Ranked as the No. 4 EDGE and No. 11 player in the cycle overall per the 247Sports Composite, Whitehead will be in Columbus on April 3. He currently does not hold on offer from the Buckeyes, but that could likely change following the trip.