Ohio State makes the cut for 2026 four-star offensive lineman

The Buckeyes were named a top school for one of their bigger 2026 OL targets. Ohio State also saw a priority 2026 CB target decommit from Alabama.

Ohio State is now 8-1 following another dominant win against Purdue. The Buckeyes cemented themselves as one of the nation’s top teams, and because of this the majority of headlines surrounding the team will focus on this year’s group of Buckeyes.

Ryan Day and the Ohio State coaching staff will be busy in preparation for a game this weekend against Northwestern, which will be played in Wrigley Field. The Wildcats may not be an intimidating foe, but the environment will certainly be a bigger factor than usual.

However, the Ohio State coaching staff will also keep ensuring recruiting is a priority, and the Buckeyes will continue to make the recruiting headlines as well. This held true Monday, and in case you missed any of them, Land-Grant Holy Land has you covered.

Ohio State named a top school for 2026 four-star OL

Ohio State’s 2025 recruiting class is all but complete. The impressive haul is ranked No. 1 in the country, and with National Signing Day quickly approaching, the staff is hard at work ensuring the class remains atop the rankings.

Fortunately for Ohio State, because the class is almost full, the coaches are also able to place more focus on next year’s class. This additional work is already paying dividends, as the Buckeyes were listed on a top schools list for one of their bigger offensive line targets in the 2026 class.

Four-star offensive lineman Ben Nichols (Davison, MI / Davison) released his top nine schools on Monday, and Ohio State made the cut. Alongside Ohio State, Nichols also included Alabama, Michigan State, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Penn State, Wisconsin, Kentucky and Iowa in his list.

Nichols visited with Ohio State this summer and had an impressive camp showing. The Ohio State coaching staff was impressed enough with his showing that Nichols left the visit with an official scholarship offer from the Buckeyes. Nichols was apparently just as impressed from the visit, as he has now included the Buckeyes in his top schools.

Nichols is the No. 15 IOL in the 247Sports Composite Rankings and is the No. 234 overall prospect. He is also the No. 3 recruit out of Michigan.

Ohio State CB flip-target decommits from Alabama

Ohio State learned some more good news late Sunday night, as 2026 four-star cornerback Dorian Barney (Carrollton, CA / Carrollton) announced his decommitment from Alabama.

Barney committed to Alabama on May 19, but that didn’t stop Ohio State from recruiting him. The Buckeyes were able to get him on campus earlier this season for the Iowa game, and now that his recruitment is open again they will look to get him back on campus before the season ends.

Ohio State looks to be early contenders for Barney, but the Buckeyes are not alone. He also recently visited with both Texas A&M and Georgia and teams like Oregon, Florida State, South Carolina, Clemson and more will all be involved.

Ohio State dishes out multiple new offers

Ohio State played host to another handful of prospects on Sunday for the Purdue game. The recruits in Columbus for the game saw what was perhaps the Buckeyes’ most complete game of the season, and some of them also left with scholarship offers.

Below are just some of the recruits to leave Columbus with an offer.

Three-star OT Gabriel Osenda

Class: 2026
Hometown: Chattanooga, TN / Baylor School
Size: 6-foot-7 / 320 pounds
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 29 OT / No. 373 overall / No. 10 TN

Four-star IOL Day’Jon Moore

Class: 2026
Hometown: Willis, TX / Willis
Size: 6-foot-3 / 305 pounds
247Sports Composite Ranking: No. 18 IOL / No. 246 overall / No. 34 TX

RB Elijah Kimble

Class: 2027
Hometown: Buffalo, NY / Canisius
Size: 5-foot-10 / 180 pounds
247Sports Composite Ranking: N/A