Ohio State makes the cut for a pair of top 2026 targets, will host a 2027 tight end in the coming weeks

Buckeyes recruiting keeps on rolling during the offseason.

Thursday was another great day for marketing the Ohio State brand at the NFL Combine events, as the Buckeyes continued to steal the show with plenty of good vibes surrounding the 15 players invited.

The NFL is the end game and ultimate goal for most of the prized recruits, so seeing Ohio State have that much success both on the field and during their interview processes, it further proves the ‘Developed Here’ slogan by Ohio State is working at an all-time high.

Ohio State makes the cut for a pair of top prospects

As one of the premier programs in college football, Ohio State tends to find their name included when it comes to top recruits naming their top schools lists. A run that has no signs of slowing down, Thursday saw not just one, but two more top guys keep the Buckeyes in the mix when each of them trimmed their considerations down to a final group.

First on the board, four-star safety Jett Washington out of Bishop Gorman cut his list down to 11 schools remaining, and with 30 offers to his name, narrowing it down to less than half shows he’s on his way toward a decision.

The No. 23 player nationally and the second best safety in the 2026 class per the 247Sports Composite, Ohio State is hoping to bring in their top priorities at the position, and currently continue to sit well for multiple guys who fit that mold. Players like Bralan Womack and Blaine Bradford are atop of the leaderboard for the Buckeyes, but being in the mix for the top three safeties in the country is right where you want to be if you have a real shot.

Keeping Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Notre Dame, UNLV, Oregon, Penn State, USC, Texas, Texas A&M, and Ohio State all in the fold, the Buckeyes join several other heavy hitters to still be in the running. Again, Ohio State has every intention to land another Caleb Downs caliber safety, and 2026 looks like it could be the class to come the closest in doing so.

Next on the board, Ohio State also made the cut for IMG Academy product, Jake Kruel. Another high profile type player in the 2026 class, Kruel is currently the No. 35 player nationally and the fourth ranked edge rusher per the 247Sports Composite with an offer list spanning 50 programs, including every top school in the country.

At 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, Kruel has some growing to do, but seeing his film and list of schools with heavy interest tells you all you need to know regarding his high ranking. Cutting it down to a final dozen, removing nearly 40 schools from his considerations is impressive and shows he is well on his way to making a decision for where he will end up at the next level.

Including Colorado, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, and Ohio State in his list, it’s another group of many of the best schools in the country from a football standpoint and the Buckeyes will have no easy challenge. Fortunately, they’re fresh off the ultimate prize and did so with elite defensive line play which has to speak volumes to any impressionable recruit.

Quick Hits

• Another day and another opportunity to share more names regarding upcoming visit plans, Ohio State will play host to in-state linebacker Landen Sams on March 24 for an unofficial visit.

Unranked and currently without an offer to his name, Sams is 6-foot, 225 pound thumper that could very well start to gain some more interest in the coming months. Army, Indiana, and Kentucky look to be schools who have been in contact, but visits to Ohio State will help get his name more public.

• One more name worth sharing with upcoming plans to see Ohio State, 2027 tight end target, Brock Williams (Libertyville, IL/Libertyville) will be on campus April 5.

Unranked right now on his 247Sports profile, Williams is a 6-foot-5, 210 pound athlete with offers from the likes of Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Penn State, USC, Tennessee, and several others in addition to Ohio State. When rankings are updated for his cycle, he’ll be among the top players at his position and one the Buckeyes will continue to be all over.