In the ever-evolving world of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals, the Ohio State Buckeyes find themselves in a situation that’s becoming all too familiar: trying to convince local talent to stay home, even if it means taking a bit of a financial hit. This time, the Buckeyes came up short with 3-star linebacker Kaylon Bailey from Glenville, who opted for the Colorado Buffaloes, led by the charismatic Deion Sanders.
As Garrett Hodge from Bucknuts highlighted, the NIL offer from Coach Prime's Colorado was more enticing than what Ohio State could muster. The Buckeyes were looking to add depth, whereas the Buffaloes presented Bailey with immediate opportunities to shine.
The Glenville-to-Ohio State pipeline has long been a reliable source of talent for the Buckeyes, much like counting on Jeremiah Smith to convert a crucial third down. But the landscape of recruiting is shifting, and sometimes the allure of a strong NIL package is too tempting to resist. Bailey's decision to commit to Colorado is a testament to that change-a scenario that would have seemed improbable just a few years ago.
Colorado's aggressive approach in securing Bailey, a standout at Glenville, shows how Sanders is leveraging modern recruiting tactics to attract top talent. Unless Ohio State can orchestrate a last-minute change of heart come fall, Bailey will be showcasing his skills in Boulder under the watchful eyes of Coach Prime.
For Ohio State fans, while it’s a tough pill to swallow seeing a local talent head to Colorado, it’s understandable. Bailey is chasing the best opportunity to elevate his game, and playing under Sanders, who has brought renewed attention to the Buffaloes, is a compelling proposition. Sanders’ influence is undeniable, especially with his son, Shedeur Sanders, having made a mark as one of the most successful quarterbacks in Colorado's history before moving on to a Pro Bowl career with the Cleveland Browns.
Ohio State, however, isn’t without its recent triumphs. They recently brought in Arvell Reese, the No. 5 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, a testament to their ability to attract top-tier talent. But missing out on Bailey is a significant setback.
There’s still hope for the Buckeyes to turn the tide. Perhaps they can draw inspiration from other schools’ strategies.
In the case of 4-star quarterback Brady Edmunds from Huntington Beach, Ohio State has been used as leverage in his recruitment, with the UCLA Bruins posing a threat to sway him. Maybe the Buckeyes can flip the script and use the allure of Coach Prime and Colorado to their advantage, reinforcing the idea that waiting for your moment in Central Ohio is part of something greater.
With the recent player flip involving Colorado and Ole Miss, the Buffaloes are likely on high alert for any potential changes. The next six months will be crucial for Ryan Day and his team as they work to bring Bailey back to Ohio State and keep the local talent pipeline flowing.
In Other News...
Michigan Chaos Around Bryce Underwood Is Already Turning Heads In Columbus
Bryce Underwood is already drawing plenty of attention in Ann Arbor, and not all of it is the kind Michigan hoped for when it landed the highly touted quarterback. After a spring in which his performance prompted questions about how quickly he can settle in, the conversation around him has only gotten louder, with outsiders starting to wonder whether the Wolverines truly have their long-term answer under center.
For Ohio State, the intrigue is obvious because anything that chips away at Michigan's quarterback stability only adds another layer to The Game. The chatter has now reached the point where some are openly talking about the Buckeyes being the team that could end Underwood's run in Ann Arbor, which is the sort of late-fall subplot that tends to follow a quarterback until the pressure finally catches up. [Read more 🡒]
Jeff Okudah Had A Surprising Take On Jeremiah Smith's Rise
Jeff Okudahs perspective on Jeremiah Smith carries a little extra weight, given what he was at Ohio State and what he became after leaving. The former Buckeye cornerback and No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft recently weighed in on whether he could handle Smith in coverage, and the answer was not the sort of automatic shutdown claim fans might expect. Instead, it came off as a sign of respect for just how quickly Smith has turned into a receiver people around the program have to measure against.
Okudah also had encouraging thoughts about the current Ohio State secondary, which should matter to a team that is always trying to reload on defense without missing a beat. He pointed to Devin Sanchez and Jermaine Mathews as two young corners with the kind of upside that could make the back end of the defense a strength again this season, a reminder that the Buckeyes are still building around elite talent on both sides of the ball even as the conversation keeps circling back to Smith. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State's Recruiting Surge May Not Be Slowing Down Yet
Ohio States 2027 recruiting momentum picked up again over the weekend with commitments from two more prospects, giving the Buckeyes another burst of early class-building energy. Four-star offensive lineman Caden Moss, a highly regarded Missouri native, picked Ohio State after a stretch of visits and recruitment that included Ole Miss, while three-star wide receiver Jordan Donahoo of Florida added another pass-catching piece to a class that is starting to take shape on both lines and at the skill spots.
Donahoos pledge came after a late Ohio State offer and a strong push from new receivers coach Cortez Hankton, a sign the Buckeyes are still making noise even as the cycle remains young. The bigger question now is whether the weekends gains are just the start of a bigger run, with another major target lined up to make his decision soon and Ohio State positioned to stay in the mix at the front of the line. [Read more 🡒]