Ohio State’s approach to NIL in recruiting has come a long way from the early days, when the Buckeyes were hesitant to get too aggressive and wound up missing on several elite prospects. Back then, Ryan Day and his staff were still trying to figure out where the line sat between paying enough to stay in the race and paying so much that a recruit looked like he was choosing the check first.
That tension has eased. Day has never been eager to throw big money at high school players, and he still leans on the Transfer Portal for proven help. But he’s also loosened up in recent years, especially with the 2027 class, where Ohio State has been willing to put substantial NIL offers on the table for several highly touted recruits.
Even so, the Buckeyes are not just handing out blank checks. They still won’t go to extremes for a prep prospect, no matter how high the ranking. That’s where the balance comes in, and it’s become a real part of Ohio State’s recruiting identity.
David Gabriel Georges is the clearest example. He’s the recruit Ohio State has invested the most time in during this cycle, and reports suggested his NIL number could climb past $1 million.
The Buckeyes, though, are not prepared to go that far. They may not even reach half of that figure.
And yet, that gap doesn’t automatically remove Ohio State from the picture. Even with Tennessee potentially offering far more money, Gabriel Georges could still choose the Buckeyes. Ohio State’s pitch goes beyond NIL, and Day has made a point of showing recruits that the program has plenty else to sell.
The Buckeyes have also shown they are willing to spend when they believe the fit is right. DJ Jacobs and Marcus Fakatou have both been examples of that, and Monshun Sales’ offer is described as anything but modest. Day is paying more now than he was a year ago, but he still wants the money to align with the kind of player and person he’s bringing into the program.
Ross Bjork has played a role in that shift, helping open the door to more money for incoming recruits. Ohio State is sitting ninth in the recruiting rankings right now, but those efforts could matter a lot when December arrives. A top-five class is still very much in play by winter.
That’s the bigger picture here. Ohio State has been one of the best recruiting programs in the country almost every year, and the 2027 class looks set to keep that run going. The Buckeyes have found a way to spend enough to stay competitive without crossing into overpaying territory, and that has become their edge.
In Other News...
Ohio State Basketball Suddenly Has A Real Shot At Another Five Star
Jake Diebler has already given Ohio State basketball a real jolt on the recruiting trail, landing two five-star prospects in the 2026 class as he keeps pushing to rebuild the programs standing. The next big swing is already in motion, with the Buckeyes firmly in the mix for DeMarcus Henry, one of the most coveted names in the 2027 class and a player whose list of finalists has started to take shape.
Ohio State is among the schools still standing for Henry, alongside a heavy group of national powers that underscores just how competitive this chase will be. For Diebler, the appeal is obvious: another elite addition would deepen the talent base and help keep the momentum going as the Buckeyes try to turn recruiting traction into the kind of postseason relevance the program is aiming for under his leadership. [Read more 🡒]
Jeremiah Smith Is Still Ohio States Biggest Strength And Biggest Concern
Jeremiah Smith has already done enough to be viewed as the top wide receiver in college football, and his 2025 season backed that up in a way few players can match. Pro Football Focus rated him the best receiver in the country, which only sharpened the expectation that Ohio State can keep leaning on him as the centerpiece of its passing game.
The problem is that the Buckeyes are asking Smith to carry a lot while working with a much less experienced group around him in 2026. Much of the pressure now falls on the young receivers behind him to grow up quickly, while Julian Sayin also needs a cleaner, more reliable supporting cast after the disappointing finish to 2025. If that development does not come soon, Ohio State may have to find a different way to build its offense. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State's 2027 QB Pursuit Suddenly Feels Far More Complicated
Ohio States quarterback board for 2027 has started to look less straightforward than it did a few weeks ago. Brady Edmunds is already in the class, but his commitment has not felt completely locked in, and the Buckeyes have also spent time trying to pry Nebraska quarterback Trae Taylor away from his pledge, a sign that the staff is still weighing its options as it maps out the position for the next cycle.
The bigger picture is what makes the pursuit tricky. Tavien St. Clair is expected to be the starter after this season, Julian Sayin is likely headed toward the NFL, and Ohio State is also juggling other recruiting priorities, which could leave the staff leaning on the transfer portal for future depth instead of adding another 2027 quarterback. For now, Edmunds remains the name to watch, but the path from here is anything but settled. [Read more 🡒]