Ohio State is tracking toward flipping one of their former coach’s top recruits at his current Big Ten program

The Ohio State Buckeyes had their only home game of the month over the weekend against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Ohio State came out of that game with an impressive 42-3 win and they were dominant after the first Minnesota drive of the game that netted three points. With it being the only home game […]

Brandon Little — Ohio State Buckeyes & Cleveland Browns News Writer
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The Ohio State Buckeyes had their only home game of the month over the weekend against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Ohio State came out of that game with an impressive 42-3 win and they were dominant after the first Minnesota drive of the game that netted three points. With it being the only home game of the month and a night game, it was a key recruiting night for the Buckeyes. 

Ohio State has 20 commitments so far for the class of 2026 and they’re looking to add to that number very soon. The Buckeyes have the No. 9 class in the country, according to 247 Sports. Ryan Day and his staff hosted several players who are committed elsewhere for the game against Minnesota and they very well could flip at least one.  

Buckeyes are pushing hard for a Wisconsin Badgers commitment 

Ohio State has just one running back committed for this class so far and that is in-state four-star RB Favour Akih. The Buckeyes hosted four-star Wisconsin commitment Amari Latimer and he’s a running back the Buckeyes would like to add to this class. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound running back from Georgia was in Columbus on Saturday without the Badgers knowing and that may show where his recruitment is heading. 

“I like the way it’s developing for Ohio State. We’ll see if other programs emerge but right now the Buckeyes look like the biggest threat to the Badgers and they’re trending up,” Steve Wiltfong of On3 wrote recently. 

Latimer is the No. 378 player and No. 24 running back in the class of 2026, per 247 Sports Composite rankings. Latimer has offers from over 40 schools with all of the major programs having thrown their hats in. Ohio State has turned the heat up recently as they circle back to several commitments now that the high school football season has been off and running for some time. 

Current Ohio State running back room depth chart

  • Freshman Bo Jackson
  • Senior CJ Donaldson
  • Sophomore James Peoples
  • Freshman Isaiah West
  • Sophomore Sam Williams-Dixon
  • Freshman Turbo Rogers

Ohio State doesn’t recruit against Wisconsin all that often when it comes to skill players and this could be one that goes the Buckeyes’ way if they push enough. Running backs coach Carlos Locklyn has had early success in his tenure with the Buckeyes last year and into this year. It is noteworthy that the Buckeyes will travel to play the Badgers in two weeks. We’ll see where Latimer’s commitment stands when that game gets here.  

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