Ohio State’s running back board for 2027 took a hit when David Gabriel Georges chose Tennessee, but the Buckeyes are already adjusting. One of the names drawing more attention now is Cincinnati Princeton running back Jordan Hall, who will be in Columbus this weekend for Ohio State’s season opener against Ball State.
That trip comes at an interesting moment. On Thursday, Hall announced on social media that he was reopening his recruitment after backing off his commitment to Miami (Ohio). He had already started attracting more attention from bigger programs in recent weeks, so the timing isn’t shocking - but doing it just days before an Ohio State visit makes it stand out.
Hall still doesn’t have a Buckeyes offer, though that could change soon. Ohio State is clearly bringing him in for a reason, and the staff still needs to land at least one running back in the 2027 class. The portal can help later, but the preferred route remains signing a high school back when the opportunity is there.
After a strong start to his senior season, Hall is a name worth watching. He’s ranked No. 1,181 nationally and No. 88 among running backs in the 247Sports Composite, and if he keeps playing well and the visit goes smoothly, Ohio State could become a much bigger part of his recruitment.
The Buckeyes will also host one of the top defensive backs in the 2028 class later this month. New Jersey cornerback Nasir Richardson is set to visit Sept. 19 when Ohio State plays Kent State.
Richardson is a major prospect by any measure. The 6-foot-1, 160-pound athlete is ranked No. 11 overall nationally and is the top cornerback in the 2028 class according to the 247Sports Composite. He already has more than 40 offers, which tells you how many programs are chasing him.
Ohio State’s 2028 class is already off to a strong start, and Richardson gives the Buckeyes another elite defensive back to work on early. Game-day visits have a way of helping in Columbus, and this one gives the staff another chance to strengthen that connection.
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Chris Henry Jr. and Brock Boyd are among the receivers expected to get more snaps with Parker unavailable, which only adds another layer to a position group already under the microscope in camp. For a team trying to sort out roles early, even a short-term absence can matter, and this one gives Ohio State an early look at its depth before the real tests arrive. [Read more 🡒]
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Curt Cignettis postgame comments about the Big Ten being superior to the SEC only added to a debate that has been simmering for months, and former Ohio State coach Urban Meyers praise for the leagues strength gave it even more oxygen. For Buckeyes fans, the opening weekend was less about settling anything outright than about reminding everyone that Ohio State is already in the middle of a bigger argument about where the sports best football is being played. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Opener Made One Position Battle A Lot More Interesting
Ohio States season opener looked comfortable on the scoreboard, a 56-3 win that still left enough rough edges to keep the coaching staff busy. Jeremiah Smith delivered the kind of opening performance that reminds everyone why he is already such a focal point of the offense, piling up 151 yards and two touchdowns on eight catches, and Devin McCuin also made his mark as the Buckeyes worked through stretches of inconsistency on both sides of the ball.
One of the more intriguing takeaways came away from the spotlight plays, where freshman Legend Bey flashed enough on offense to suggest there is something to build on. His night also came with some costly special teams errors, though, and that is the kind of detail that can reshape how quickly a young player gets trusted in bigger moments. At quarterback, the depth chart also appeared to settle a little further, with Tavien St. Clair looking more like he is chasing the No. 3 job than threatening the top of the line behind Julian Sayin. [Read more 🡒]