Ryan Day and Ohio State find out their expected fate in pursuit for top-ranked prospect at position of critical need for Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes continue to swing big on top offensive linemen prospects but haven’t quite found their perfect pitch yet. Year 1 of Tyler Bowen as Ryan Day’s offensive line coach and recruiter has been positive thus far, especially with nabbing Sam Greer, but the Buckeyes hoped to continue their pipeline in Virginia with […]
The Ohio State Buckeyes continue to swing big on top offensive linemen prospects but haven’t quite found their perfect pitch yet. Year 1 of Tyler Bowen as Ryan Day’s offensive line coach and recruiter has been positive thus far, especially with nabbing Sam Greer, but the Buckeyes hoped to continue their pipeline in Virginia with the chase for Darius Gray.
The five-star guard prospect from Richmond, VA, will be making his college announcement on Friday evening, and it’s not the Buckeyes trending for his services. The 16th-ranked player in the 2026 class for 247Sports is expected to stick in the South by choosing South Carolina. The Buckeyes are considered second by On3’s RPM metric, but LSU was widely viewed as the runner-up by insiders.
Gray has previously said his top schools needed to check off certain criteria for his interests. The Buckeyes fit the bill of his selection, but staying closer to home might’ve played a factor.
“I think it came down to something a little bit bigger than football,” Gray has said of his top schools. “Every school is different. I think it came down to what I was looking for the most in each school and I feel these five have the best opportunity for what I was looking for and what my family was looking for.”
“The main three things for me is family atmosphere,” Gray said. “There is a non-negotiable about that. Number two is sports media. That’s what I want to major in. The third is player development. And of course I have to add that fourth one. Playing for a potential title or conference title at the least.”
The 6-foot-3, 285-pounder was also considering Clemson and Tennessee, but the top two had separated themselves throughout the last week. He acknowledged that all five of his top schools were a great fit, but he’s leaning 51% toward one school. We believe that school is South Carolina, and On3 agrees.
“All five of these schools are a great choice for me, so I cannot go wrong,” Gray said. “One school is definitely that spot for me. All the schools have been patient and understanding with my time and the process for me. They have all been respectful to me and my family.”
The Buckeyes will keep swinging despite missing on Gray. They still have offers out to 17 other interior linemen, though one of them (Tucker Smith, three-star from AZ) is committed to them, and only Gray was uncommitted of the bunch. I expect Bowen to open his pool of talent as the fall season begins and he can watch more tape of local talent who could become developmental options.
