As winter starts to loosen its grip on Columbus, the Ohio State football program is gearing up for a busy stretch that could shape the future of its roster. Spring practice is just around the corner, and with it comes the return of recruiting camps - including the ever-important Spring Game - where the Buckeyes' coaching staff can get an up-close look at future prospects and deepen relationships with top targets.
One name to keep an eye on? Jaden Carey, a four-star cornerback out of St.
Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Ohio State extended an offer to Carey nearly a year ago, and since then, the Buckeyes have made steady progress in his recruitment.
That effort is beginning to pay off - Carey just dropped his list of top seven schools, and Ohio State made the cut.
Joining the Buckeyes in Carey’s top group are Florida, Auburn, Notre Dame, Miami, Oregon, and Ole Miss. It’s a competitive field, and while no single school has emerged as the clear leader, proximity is playing a role early on. Florida and Miami have had the advantage of being close to home, and both programs have been active in recruiting Carey this spring.
Carey already took an unofficial visit to Florida, and by all accounts, it was a successful trip. Meanwhile, Miami wasted no time reconnecting with him after its national title game loss to Indiana, sending coaches to visit shortly afterward.
Ohio State hasn’t been sitting idle either - the Buckeyes’ staff recently made their way to St. Thomas Aquinas, putting in face time with Carey and reaffirming their interest.
Right now, Ohio State is in a good spot - but they know this recruitment is far from over. Carey is expected to take more unofficial visits this spring, and those trips will help him narrow down his list ahead of official visits later in the year.
For the Buckeyes to remain firmly in the mix, getting Carey on campus for a spring recruiting camp is a must. That visit could be a turning point, especially as the coaching staff looks to build momentum heading into official visit season.
Carey is currently ranked as the No. 38 cornerback and the No. 356 overall player in the 2027 class, according to the 247Sports Composite. He also checks in as the No. 36 recruit in the state of Florida - a region that never lacks for elite talent.
Quick Hits on the 2027 Trail
Ohio State’s recruiting momentum isn’t limited to Carey. Over the weekend, the Buckeyes were named a finalist for five-star offensive lineman Maxwell Hiller out of Coatesville, Pennsylvania. Hiller, one of the top linemen in the 2027 cycle, included Ohio State in his top four alongside Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida.
Hiller made an unofficial visit to Columbus earlier this month, and it clearly left a strong impression. He also released his official visit schedule, confirming that Ohio State is in line for a visit - though a date hasn’t been locked in yet.
Expect Ryan Day and his staff to work closely with Hiller to find a weekend that fits. With schools like Alabama and Tennessee in the mix, every touchpoint counts.
And then there’s DJ Jacobs, the five-star edge rusher from Roswell, Georgia. Jacobs turned heads in December when he committed to Ohio State, choosing the Buckeyes over a heavy push from Miami. Since then, Jacobs has remained publicly committed, saying all the right things about his decision - but he’s also been honest about the fact that Miami isn’t giving up just yet.
Jacobs recently told On3’s EJ Holland that Miami continues to recruit him hard. That means Ohio State can’t let up.
The Buckeyes will need to keep the lines of communication open and continue to build on the trust they’ve established. For a player of Jacobs’ caliber, that kind of effort is more than justified.
The Bottom Line
Spring is about development on the field, but for Ohio State, it’s just as much about building the future off it. Whether it’s landing a top corner like Carey, staying in the hunt for a five-star lineman like Hiller, or locking in a commitment from an elite edge like Jacobs, the work being done now will echo into the 2027 season and beyond.
This is the time when relationships are solidified, visits are scheduled, and decisions start to take shape. And for a program with Ohio State’s expectations, every rep - on the field or on the recruiting trail - matters.