Ohio State football might be in the heart of the offseason, but make no mistake - the Buckeyes' recruiting engine is running full throttle. With the NCAA’s open contact period now in full swing, Ryan Day and his staff are hitting the trail hard, laying the groundwork for what could be another elite recruiting class in Columbus.
As spring recruiting camps inch closer, the Buckeyes are busy identifying the next wave of talent they want to bring into the fold. That means coast-to-coast travel for the coaching staff, in-home visits with top-tier prospects, and a steady stream of scholarship offers going out to players who fit the Buckeye mold. And that effort isn’t just happening on the road - it’s happening on campus too.
This past weekend, Ohio State hosted one of the most coveted prospects in the entire 2027 cycle: five-star offensive lineman Maxwell Hiller out of Coatesville, Pennsylvania. At 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds, Hiller isn’t just a big name - he’s a big presence, both literally and figuratively. Ranked as the No. 1 interior offensive lineman in the 247Sports Composite and the No. 10 overall recruit nationally, Hiller is also the second-ranked player in Pennsylvania.
From all indications, Hiller’s visit to Columbus went about as well as Ohio State could’ve hoped. According to recruiting insider Steve Wiltfong, the Buckeyes have now positioned themselves as a serious contender in Hiller’s recruitment.
That’s no small feat when you consider the competition. Hiller already holds more than 30 scholarship offers, and programs like South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, and Penn State are all firmly in the mix.
While Hiller hasn’t dropped a list of top schools just yet, his visit history is telling. He’s already made trips to Ohio State, Penn State, and Alabama, with an official visit to South Carolina locked in for this summer.
Those official visits will be pivotal in shaping his final decision, and Ohio State knows it. That’s why getting Hiller back on campus - whether it’s for another unofficial visit this spring or for an official visit down the line - is a top priority.
The Buckeyes will likely try to bring him back for one of their marquee spring events, like a recruiting camp or the Spring Game in April. If they can get him around the program again, especially in a game-day-like atmosphere, it could go a long way in solidifying their standing in his recruitment.
Ohio State’s 2027 class is already off to a strong start. With nine verbal commitments, the group currently sits at No. 3 in the 247Sports composite team rankings.
That includes three offensive line pledges in three-star tackles Mason Wilt, Brody McNeel, and Kellen Wymer. But make no mistake - the Buckeyes are still looking to add star power up front, and Hiller fits the bill perfectly.
He’s not the only big name Ohio State has its eyes on, either. Five-star offensive tackle Mike Matthews, the top-ranked tackle in the 2027 class, is also squarely on the Buckeyes’ radar. If Ohio State can land even one of those two elite linemen, it would be a major boost to a class that’s already shaping up to be one of the nation’s best.
Quick Hits
The 2026 recruiting cycle is officially in the books, with all major recruiting services releasing their final rankings. For Ohio State, the updates brought plenty of good news. Wide receiver Chris Henry Jr., linebacker Cincere Johnson, and cornerback Jay Timmons all finished as composite five-star prospects - a strong finish to an already impressive class.
And it wasn’t just the football program making noise this week.
On the basketball front, Ohio State made headlines on Monday for the kind of honor that doesn’t come around often. Five-star small forward Anthony Thompson, a standout from Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio, was named a McDonald’s All-American - a prestigious nod that cements him as one of the top high school players in the country. It’s the first time in over a decade that an Ohio State men’s basketball recruit has earned that distinction.
So while February might be a quiet time on the field and court, it’s anything but quiet behind the scenes. Whether it’s locking down top football talent or celebrating big-time basketball honors, Ohio State is making moves that could shape the future of both programs for years to come.