Ohio State lands commitment from in-state hidden gem after beating Northwestern
Sometimes, the recruiting game is about more than chasing the highest stars possible and going outside of your best pipeline. The Ohio State Buckeyes have an immense recruiting presence beyond Ohio, but staying in-state has remained a priority even after Urban Meyer showed the world this program didn't need to. Head coach Ryan Day hasn't […]
Sometimes, the recruiting game is about more than chasing the highest stars possible and going outside of your best pipeline. The Ohio State Buckeyes have an immense recruiting presence beyond Ohio, but staying in-state has remained a priority even after Urban Meyer showed the world this program didn't need to.
Head coach Ryan Day hasn't locked the state down like Jim Tressel once did, but it's harder than ever to do that. On Saturday, the Buckeyes showed they're unafraid to take chances on local talent that might be under-ranked. Day has given receivers coach Brian Hartline the green light to take on projects he feels are worthy, and 2026 receiver Jaeden Ricketts fits the bill.
Ricketts, a 6-foot, 187-pounder from Watkins Memorial High School and Pataskala, Ohio, barely cracks the national top-500 ranking. However, a strong in-person showing during a June camp led to the Buckeyes offering. Illinois was the only other notable Power 5 offer.
“I love Coach Hartline,” Ricketts previously told Lettermen Row. “He’s the man, you already know how that goes. Just want to keep on building on that.”
“We worked at a camp together and we’re kind of building on our relationship,” Ricketts said. “We’re not really tight like that, but I know he could be my future teammate and I want to build that relationship with him.”
Ricketts has joined Five-Star Plus+ wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. in the Buckeyes' 2026 recruiting class. The two have been fostering their relationship since the summer.
Ricketts visited Ohio State on October 5 for the game against Iowa and was also present at the Horseshoe for the season opener against Akron.
He marks Brian Hartline's third in-state commitment since he took on the role of Ohio State's wide receivers coach. The Buckeyes previously signed Jayden Ballard from Massillon (Ohio) Washington in the 2021 class and have three-star standout Bodpegn Miller from Mansfield (Ohio) Ontario committed for 2025.
