With the 2025-26 college football season officially in the books, the focus in Columbus has already shifted to what’s next. Ryan Day and his staff aren’t wasting time-they’re diving headfirst into reshaping the Buckeyes for a bigger, better run in 2026. Sure, beating Michigan was a major box checked this past season, but let’s be honest: for a program with national title aspirations, more was expected.
And so far, Ohio State is treating the offseason like a mission. The Buckeyes have undergone one of the most dramatic roster overhauls in program history via the transfer portal.
Over 30 players have exited, and nearly 20 new faces are already on board. That kind of turnover isn’t just a shake-up-it’s a full-blown transformation.
But it’s not just the roster getting a facelift. The coaching staff has also added a major piece, bringing in former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to lead the offense. With Smith now in Columbus, the Buckeyes are banking on his NFL experience to elevate a unit that’s been loaded with talent but inconsistent in execution.
Even with all the portal movement and staff changes, Ohio State hasn’t taken its foot off the gas on the traditional recruiting trail. And on Monday, that effort paid off with a pair of promising developments.
Let’s start with Miguel Whitley.
The 2027 four-star wide receiver out of St. Augustine High School in New Orleans trimmed his list of more than 20 offers down to five-and Ohio State made the cut. Joining the Buckeyes in Whitley’s top five are LSU, Tennessee, Ole Miss, and Houston.
Whitley is one of the top wideouts in his class, ranked No. 25 among receivers and No. 176 nationally in the 247Sports Composite. He’s also the No. 9 overall prospect in Louisiana-a state that’s always rich with talent and fiercely contested by SEC powers. And while Ohio State has had a strong track record at the position over the past decade, the departure of Brian Hartline to USF means there’s a new face leading the WR room: Cortez Hankton.
Landing Whitley would be a big early win for Hankton, who’s looking to maintain Ohio State’s reputation as WRU. The Buckeyes have already secured a commitment from five-star receiver Jamier Brown in the same class, and pairing him with Whitley would give the Buckeyes one of the most dynamic receiver duos in the country for the 2027 cycle.
It’s early, and Whitley is expected to take official visits to all five finalists, but if there’s a slight edge right now, it may belong to home-state LSU. Still, that lead is far from commanding.
Meanwhile, on the defensive side of the ball, Ohio State also made the shortlist for another top-tier 2027 prospect: four-star cornerback Josiah Molden out of West Linn, Oregon.
Molden, who holds nearly 20 offers, narrowed his list to six schools: Ohio State, USC, Texas, Oregon, Washington, and Miami. And while the Buckeyes are firmly in the mix, Oregon appears to be the team to beat. The Ducks have been aggressive in keeping the No. 1 player in the state close to home, and Molden recently visited Eugene for Oregon’s Junior Day-a key early touchpoint in his recruitment.
Still, Ohio State has a compelling pitch. The Buckeyes have a long history of developing elite defensive backs, and with two safeties-four-star Eli Johnson and three-star Angelo Smith-already committed in the 2027 class, Molden would be a strong cornerstone at corner to round out the secondary. He’s ranked No. 20 among corners nationally and No. 195 overall, and his skill set would fit seamlessly into the Buckeyes’ defensive scheme.
To stay in the race, Ohio State will need to get Molden on campus-ideally for a spring visit and again during the season for a game-day experience. That’s going to be crucial if they want to pull him away from the West Coast and into the Big Ten East.
Quick Hits:
- Ohio State currently holds nine verbal commitments in the 2027 class and sits at No. 3 in the 247Sports Class Rankings.
- With momentum building, the Buckeyes are already turning some attention to the 2028 class, laying the groundwork early to stay ahead in the ever-competitive recruiting landscape.
The offseason may be young, but Ohio State is moving with urgency and purpose. Between portal additions, staff changes, and a strong early recruiting push, the Buckeyes are making it clear: they’re not just reloading-they’re recalibrating for a championship run.