Ohio State’s 2028 recruiting board is starting to take shape, and the Buckeyes are right in the middle of two major national pursuits while also building early traction with an offensive line target.
The biggest buzz right now centers on Christopher Vargas, the top quarterback in the 2028 class and the No. 6 player nationally per the 247Sports Composite. After an electric camp performance and an unofficial visit in June, the Buckeyes have only strengthened their position with the dynamic quarterback they’ve been recruiting for two years. Vargas is set to announce his commitment this Saturday, and the signs continue to point Ohio State’s way.
That momentum picked up again on Wednesday when another Crystal Ball prediction came in for the Buckeyes, this one from national insider Brian Dohn. Vargas has offers from every major program in the country, but the latest movement suggests Ohio State is the team to beat as decision day approaches. If he lands with the Buckeyes, he would become their fourth commitment in the 2028 cycle and join Jett Harrison and Elijah Newman-Hall as elite offensive playmakers in the class.
Ohio State also made the latest cut for one of the top defensive line prospects in the country, Tyzon Swann. The Maryland native, a 6-foot-4, 245-pound lineman, trimmed his list to nine schools on Wednesday, and the Buckeyes were included alongside Alabama, Auburn, Florida, LSU, Maryland, Oklahoma, UCLA, and USC.
Swann is ranked as the No. 10 player nationally and the No. 2 defensive lineman in the 247Sports Composite, and his offer sheet tells the story of just how coveted he is. He has 50 offers, and narrowing things down at this stage shows he’s moving closer to a final decision.
For Ohio State, getting into the final group is a strong sign, especially with Larry Johnson continuing to work the trenches at a high level. The Buckeyes already have one 2028 in-state commitment in Jameer Whyce, and Swann gives them another big-name target to chase.
Ohio State is also making noise with another 2028 prospect on the offensive line. Samuel Bailey, a 6-foot-6, 290-pound tackle, is liking what he sees from the Buckeyes, and Tyler Bowen is “heavily pursuing” the four-star talent.
In Other News...
Ohio State Freshman RB Suddenly Has An Early Camp Problem
A few days into fall camp, Ohio State already has a small early wrinkle in its running back room. True freshman Legend Bey was sidelined for the opening day of practice after being suspended for a violation of team rules, leaving the Buckeyes to move forward with other backs while the newcomer watches from the side.
Ryan Day confirmed the suspension but offered no specifics, which leaves Beys status and any immediate path to playing time unsettled. For now, Ohio State can lean on options such as Bo Jackson and Isaiah West, but the situation is a reminder that even before the real competition starts, camp can bring its own off-field complications. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Faces New Jamier Brown Questions At A Tough Time
Jamier Browns path has taken another turn, and it comes at a moment when Ohio State would prefer some stability on the recruiting trail. The five-star receiver commit had recently been at Big Walnut, adding a layer of intrigue to a recruitment that already carried plenty of attention because of his talent and the Buckeyes need to keep elite pass-catchers coming.
Brown is now back at Huber Heights Wayne High School after that brief stop at Big Walnut, and the school confirmed he is no longer enrolled while declining to say more. For Ohio State, the timing only adds to the questions around a commitment that has been under the microscope, especially with Brian Hartline no longer in place as a recruiter to help steady things. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Closing In On A Huge Quarterback Recruiting Win
The quarterback recruiting trail is heating up for Ohio State, and Christopher Vargas has become the name to watch as the Buckeyes push to land one of the nations most coveted young passers. Regarded as the top quarterback prospect in the 2028 class, Vargas has already made the rounds to several programs, with Ohio State and Penn State emerging as the main schools in the mix. He has drawn attention for his production at St. John's Preparatory School, along with the kind of multi-sport background that often shows up in top quarterback evaluations.
Saturday now looms as the key date in this one, with Vargas set to make his decision and bring an end to the early speculation. For Ohio State, the appeal is obvious: landing a player with his profile this early would be a major statement in the class and a sign that the Buckeyes are winning the kind of head-to-head battles that matter on the recruiting trail. The final call is still ahead, but the sense around this recruitment is that the Buckeyes are in a strong position entering the announcement. [Read more 🡒]
