Richard Wesley's surprise reclassification announcement gives Ohio State chance to flex NIL muscle
The Ohio State Buckeyes' recruiting efforts for 2026 and 2027 are in full-force as spring practices arrive. Though time has been limited for Ryan Day and his revamped coaching staff to focus on adding the stars of tomorrow, elite prospects like Richard Wesley are still priorities. Wesley, a 6-foot-4, 255-pound 5-star prospect from California, was […]
The Ohio State Buckeyes' recruiting efforts for 2026 and 2027 are in full-force as spring practices arrive. Though time has been limited for Ryan Day and his revamped coaching staff to focus on adding the stars of tomorrow, elite prospects like Richard Wesley are still priorities.
Wesley, a 6-foot-4, 255-pound 5-star prospect from California, was just offered a scholarship by the Buckeyes. Days after, he announced his reclassification from 2027 to the 2026 class.
This is a potentially huge shift and opportunity for the Buckeyes.
Highly sought after by every program you can imagine, Oregon and USC are unsurprisingly considered favorites in the race. But Ohio State is on his list of upcoming visits. Georgia, Texas, Miami, Oregon, USC, Ole Miss, and Texas A&M will each host Wesley as well.
"I really can't say what the future holds for me," Wesley previously told ESPN. "I'm excited for more opportunities to go talk with these coaches and see what they're about. I'm really open to everyone that's offered me and who really wants me in their program."
Finishing his 2024 season with 44 tackles, nine sacks, and four forced fumbles, the Buckeyes will want to open its purse strings for a player routinely at the top of team's wishlists for 2027.
"All the colleges I talk to have shown me their recruiting boards and told me I'm at the top of their list at the position regardless of class," Wesley said. "They've told me good things and they've told me the things I need to work on. I need to work on my violence. I've been grinding at that every single day."
The Buckeyes haven't been willing to pay top dollar for everyone, but being strategic with their available NIL funding can include getting the big dogs. Wesley, by all accounts, is one of those home run swings that Day and defensive line coach Larry Johnson should take.
