Calling college football recruits who enroll in January “early” enrollees is becoming something of an understatement these days, especially at Ohio State. The Buckeyes welcomed a whopping 21 members from their 2025 recruiting class to campus for spring practice.
That's on top of six transfers. So, with a grand total of 27 newcomers jumping in midyear, "early" is starting to sound more like "standard."
But don't think the recruiting cycle is over just yet. Ohio State's summer roster refresh is in full swing, with a new group of players arriving this week to round out the 2025 squad. This batch includes the remaining five recruits from their class plus a freshman walk-on and five additional transfers.
Let's dive into who these summer enrollees are and what they might bring to the Buckeyes.
Ohio State’s 2025 Summer Enrollees:
- Beau Atkinson (DE, Transfer from North Carolina): Buckeyes are getting a potential game-changer here. Atkinson's record speaks for itself – with 12 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks last year at UNC.
He's expected to dive straight into Ohio State's defensive rotation, possibly as a starter. Talk about a fresh edge for the defense.
- Maxwell Roy (DT, Freshman ★★★★): Keep an eye on Maxwell. As a state champion wrestler, he brings grit and tenacity that promise to bolster the nose tackle position. The Buckeyes have an open competition backing up Kayden McDonald, and Roy’s physicality might just push him up the depth chart.
- Epi Sitanilei (DE, Freshman ★★★★): After flipping from UCLA, Sitanilei might need a year to bulk up, but his potential is undeniable. Given that Ohio State's defense plans to mix things up under new DC Matt Patricia, Sitanilei could eventually emerge as a hybrid edge-rusher.
Turbo-Boosted Backfield:
Don’t sleep on running back Anthony “Turbo” Rogers, the highest-rated recruit among the summer enrollees. He’s ranked as the number five running back overall, thanks to his blazing 4.48-second 40-yard dash and shifty, dual-threat capabilities as a runner and receiver. He could become a Swiss Army knife for the Buckeyes, reminiscent of Curtis Samuel’s versatility on the field.
While Bo Jackson's stellar spring has put him one step ahead in the lineup, Rogers’ explosive potential makes him a wildcard for the season. In a running back room lacking a proven home-run hitter, Rogers’ ability to break big plays could earn him some meaningful snaps.
Intriguing Developments:
- Brody Lennon (TE, Freshman ★★★★): A versatile weapon with both blocking and receiving prowess, Lennon’s future looks bright, even if 2025 isn’t his year. Watch for him to carve out a multi-faceted role down the line.
- Jordyn Woods (CB, Freshman ★★★): With 6-foot-5 stature, Woods might not make waves immediately, but his physical attributes offer enticing long-term potential for a Buckeye secondary looking to replace tall, tough cornerbacks in the future.
Depth Moves:
Ohio State also put in work to fill other depth positions, securing transfer moves and new commitments:
- Jackson Courville (K, Transfer from Ball State): With a solid kicking history at Ball State, he brings reliable leg power to push returning starter Jayden Fielding.
- Justin Terry (OL, Transfer from West Virginia): While added as depth, the 6-foot-6 lineman could play multiple positions on the offensive line and be crucial in injury situations.
- Eli Brickhandler (QB, Transfer from Houston Christian): An additional arm on the roster, Brickhandler ensures no shortage of quarterbacks.
- Grant Mills (LS, Transfer from North Carolina): He arrives as insurance and a future prospect for the long snapping duties behind the incumbent starter.
Every recruit brings their own skill set to the table, and as they integrate into the Buckeyes' system, the summer will reveal where they fit into Ohio State’s broader ambitions. Keep an eye on how these newcomers mesh with the team as we barrel towards another exciting season of college football in Columbus.
