The Scarlet and Gray

[The JZA]

Following

[toysoldier00]

COMMITMENT SURGE SETS BUCKEYES UP FOR STRONG FINISH
By Blake London on August 2, 2025





With the calendar turning to August, Ohio State sits at 21 in the 2026 recruiting class, after landing five crucial commitments in the last two weeks, including a few that answered some of the biggest questions in the class. But with the summer recruiting season coming to a close and fall camp opening, it seems a good time to take stock of where Ohio State sits.

This is a class that started almost two years ago with a Stark County linebacker named Pauly O’Dwyer, and has slowly, and at times chaotically, grown into one of the most complete recruiting hauls in the country. Ohio State hit early at offensive line, struggled at defensive back, lost a quarterback unexpectedly, then recovered late. Now, with high school camps done and the summer recruiting window closed, Ryan Day and his staff shift into evaluation mode before a handful of blue-chips take their recruitments into the fall. The board is smaller. The holes are obvious. And the margin for error is gone.

THE CLASS SO FAR
Committed


Rank	Pos	Name	Height	Weight	High School	Home Town
***	QB	Tyree Figurs	6'3"	190 lbs	Mission Hills	Mission Hills, CA
*****	WR	Ashton Ramsey	6'3"	190 lbs	Loyola Academy	Chicago, IL
****	TE	Jordan Ivory	6'5"	235 lbs	Culver Academies	Culver, IN
****	OT	Marcus Okam	6'7"	285 lbs	Pickerington Central	Pickerington, OH
****	OT	Grady Austin	6'6"	305 lbs	Princeton	Cincinnati, OH
***	OT	Derron Merriman	6'6"	300 lbs	Hilliard Bradley	Marysville, OH
***	OT	Alex Jordan	6'7"	280 lbs	Paramus Catholic	Paramus, NJ
*****	IOL	George Crecelius	6'4"	285 lbs	Cy-Fair	Cypress, TX
****	IOL	Thaddeus Roe	6'4"	290 lbs	Avon	Avon, IN
***	DE	Deontae Savage	6'6"	240 lbs	Avon	Avon, IN
****	DT	Vondree Eagles	6'3"	345 lbs	Reynoldsburg	Reynoldsburg, OH
***	DT	Dillon Bridges	6'3"	290 lbs	Snider	Fort Wayne, IN
****	LB	Pauly O'Dwyer	6'5"	215 lbs	Washington	Massillon, OH
****	LB	Emmanuel Wooden	6'2"	210 lbs	Westerville South	Columbus, OH
***	LB	Jaylen Smalls	6'2"	210 lbs	Glenville	Cleveland, OH
***	LB	Avondre Lincoln	6'1"	200 lbs	Princeton	Cincinnati, OH
****	CB	Teion Cherry II	6'1"	175 lbs	Wayne	Huber Heights, OH
****	CB	Tremayne Shepley	6'1"	185 lbs	Greenville	Greenville, SC
****	S	Bobby Jackson-Ruud	6'1"	190 lbs	St. Thomas Aquinas	Fort Lauderdale, FL
****	S	Landon Bishop	6'1"	195 lbs	Whitmer	Toledo, OH
***	P	David Procter	6'5"	170 lbs	Elder	Cincinnati, OH

That’s 4 linebackers, 6 offensive linemen, 3 defensive linemen, 2 safeties, 2 corners, a quarterback, a tight end, a punter, and the best wide receiver in America. It’s a class built on trench depth, local strength, and a few national swings that paid off, but the work isn't done.

OFFENSIVE LINE: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
If there was one thing Ohio State had to get right, it was offensive line recruiting. They needed six. They got six. And the staff loves all six.
- Marcus Okam (Pickerington Central) and Grady Austin (Princeton) were the foundation — two in-state tackles with true NFL frames.
- Derron Merriman profiles as a guard at 6-6, 300, and came from just down the road at Hilliard Bradley.
- Then came the national strike: five-star IOL George Crecelius, a lifelong Ohio State fan living in Texas, who turned down A&M and Texas to “come home.”
- Thaddeus Roe, a four-star from Indiana, is the staff’s favorite “nasty finisher.”
- And finally Alex Jordan, the 6-7 New Jersey project tackle with long-term upside.

The staff believes this is a two-deep class — not just numbers, but starters.

DEFENSIVE BACK RECRUITING: CHAOS AND SURVIVAL
The secondary… has been a journey. The Buckeyes needed three corners and three safeties. For a while, it looked like Ohio State would really struggle. And cornerback recruiting looked bleak. Ohio State missed early on Ohio four-stars Orlando Clutts (Toledo Central Catholic) and Greg Newton (Pickerington Central), both to Notre Dame. For a moment, there was real panic inside the Woody: Ohio State was sitting on exactly zero cornerbacks in a year they needed three.

Finally they get the word on Huber Height Wayne (Wayne, Ohio) corner Teion Cherry II, the No. 1 player in Ohio and one of the most important recruits of the cycle. The Buckeyes simply could not miss, and they didn’t. They beat Notre Dame and LSU for him in July. Three days later, BOOM, Greenville (Greenville, SC) corner Tremayne Shepley flipped from South Carolina. That changed everything. The staff now feels they have two corners they love. They still want another, but the pressure to restock the room with talent has been relieved.

Safety recruiting played out very differently. The Buckeyes struck early and went national, landing St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) safety Bobby Jackson-Ruud, one of the best athletes in the class, over Alabama, Georgia, Miami and Tennessee. Then they kept Whitmer (Toledo, OH) safety Landon Bishop, a Toledo safety the staff likes as a multiyear starter, home over Michigan and Notre Dame. They would love a third safety, but at this point, there’s only one worth holding a spot for:

Erasmus Hall (New York, NY) five-star Sterling Hodel, the No. 1 safety in the country. Everyone is in that battle. Notre Dame. LSU. Georgia. Oregon. Penn State. Everyone. Nobody expects a decision before signing day.

THE QUARTERBACK DRAMA
Ohio State once had its quarterback, Jacksonville Trinity Christian’s Willie Thorne, a lifelong Buckeye fan whose commitment video included him wearing a Braxton Miller jersey. Then he grew into a five-star, didn’t love the idea of sitting behind Tavien St. Clair, and flipped to Georgia in the spring. The Buckeyes were left with… nobody.

Enter California three-star Tyree Figurs, a camp evaluation find with real arm talent and plus athleticism. He’s not Thorne — that’s fine. He’s closer to a C.J. Stroud type: developmental, toolsy, and a guy the staff chose, not settled for. Ohio State will only take one quarterback. Figurs is QB1 and that recruitment is done.

STILL TO GO…
Ohio State took three running backs a year ago. They don’t need a back in 2026. But they want one. They missed early, and there’s no clear favorite on the board right now. Expect late senior evaluations and possible portal insurance if needed.

On the defensive line, they have:
- Vondree Eagles — 345-pound in-state nose tackle
- Dillon Bridges — Larry Johnson’s pet project from Fort Wayne
- Deontae Savage — 6-6 frame, projects as a strong-side end

They want one more defensive end, preferably a pure edge type. That battle likely drags into the fall.

WHAT’S NEXT
Ohio State will host senior official visits the first two weekends of the season. The priorities are clear:
- One more CB
- One more Safety (preferably Hodel)
- One RB if the right one emerges
- One EDGE

Hold the class together — especially Ashton Ramsey and Crecelius.

Due to the recent run of commitments, the Buckeyes are not in scramble mode. But with defensive backs and running back still unsettled, the finish won’t be boring. There is work to do. Just the way Ohio State prefers it.

[toysoldier00]

oh yeah we here

!!

I will be following, while quietly rooting for Januaries filled with failure. Because ew Ohio State

jk bro glad to have you here

I like the Yankees too if that helps.

I like Ohio State.

O-H

following tho

I'm planning on doing a lot of BigTen / College Football stuff overall, and just using Ohio State as the conduit. I'm sure you'll still find some interesting storylines.

My guy is back. Where is the Yankees chise with the ESPN gfx?

Can't believe anyone remembers that!

Looking forward to this one! Go buckeyes!

O-H

This looks good

I hope it comes off well.

Did you have a Tennessee chise back in the day?

Once upon a time. Wish wherever I posted that was still around. I'd have loved to go back and read it now. Maybe even get a few ideas.

Following

What an unbelievably warm welcome. Thank you all.

[Soapy]

Once upon a time. Wish wherever I posted that was still around. I'd have loved to go back and read it now. Maybe even get a few ideas.

yeah i remember that chise, was a dope one

[Captain Canada]

That recruiting update was some detailed heat

[redsox907]

I like the Yankees too if that helps.

I'll forgive it if the rest of the updates are bangers like the recruiting gfx

[toysoldier00]

Buckeyes Schedule Features Season's Marquee Games



By Bailey Lloyd
August 8, 2025


Ohio State begins its national title defense with one of the most challenging schedules of the Ryan Day era, featuring two opponents with preseason No. 1 credentials, three ranked road tests, and a regular-season finale that will determine how the 2025 campaign is remembered in Columbus. Below is a full breakdown of the Buckeyes’ schedule and the major storylines that shape the road ahead.

The season opens on August 30th with Texas coming to Columbus in a matchup that will dominate the national conversation. The Arch Manning hype machine is running at full speed, and he enters the season as the betting favorite for both the Heisman Trophy and the No. 1 pick in the next NFL Draft. As big as his name is, it may be Texas’ defense that makes them a legitimate title contender. Nearly every unit returns an All-America candidate, including linebacker Anthony Hill, edge rusher Colin Simmons, safety Michael Taaffe, corner Malik Muhammad, and linebacker Trey Moore. Offensively, Texas will rotate three former blue-chip running backs — Quintrevion Wisner, CJ Baxter Jr., and Jerrick Gibson — and deploy explosive receivers Ryan Wingo and DeAndre Moore Jr. There is a very real chance Texas will be ranked No. 1 when the polls release next week.

The next two weeks allow the Buckeyes to reset and evaluate. Grambling State visits in Week Two, and Ohio should provide a manageable test in Week Three on September 13th. Ohio returns Parker Navarro and Sieh Bangura and may push for a MAC championship, but that is a different universe than facing Ohio State in September.

After an early bye, Ohio State travels to Washington on September 27th for what may be its trickiest road game outside of Ann Arbor. Washington brings back elite skill talent in running back Jonah Coleman and wide receiver Denzel Boston, both of whom bypassed the NFL. Head coach Jedd Fisch has handed the offense to sophomore Demond Williams Jr., a dynamic runner whose play style has drawn frequent comparisons to a young Kyler Murray. This will also be the first road test for whoever wins the Ohio State quarterback job.

Minnesota comes to Columbus in Week Six, beginning a stretch where Ohio State should be heavily favored. The Gophers are turning the offense over to redshirt freshman quarterback Drake Lindsey and are likely a year away, though they do return standout safety Koi Perich and running back Darius Taylor.

The following week, Ohio State travels to Illinois, a game that looks far more dangerous than it did aa few years ago. Bret Bielema returns three-year starting quarterback Luke Altmyer and a defense featuring Gabe Jacas, Xavier Scott, and Matthew Bailey. Illinois brings back a veteran roster and profiles as a team capable of grinding out nine wins. A sloppy performance in Champaign could become a legitimate upset.

Wisconsin awaits on October 18th, and the pressure is rising on Luke Fickell. The Badgers are expected to improve, but there is uncertainty about their direction. Maryland transfer Billy Edwards is expected to start at quarterback, and Wisconsin simply has not established an offensive identity. This game is more about Wisconsin's trajectory than Ohio State’s.

Penn State comes to Columbus on November 1st, and this is the most important home game on the schedule. For the first time in the James Franklin era, Penn State is being projected as a legitimate preseason National Title favorite. Quarterback Drew Allar returns for his senior season. Running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen remain the most proven tandem in the sport. The offensive line is anchored by guard Olaivavega Ioane, already seen as a future NFL cornerstone. The defense may feature as many as seven future draft picks, including Dani Dennis-Sutton, Tony Rojas, Zane Durant, A.J. Harris and Zakee Wheatley. This roster is top-to-bottom loaded, and if Texas doesn’t open the year No. 1, Penn State might.

A trip to Purdue in Week Eleven is the calmest point on the back half of the schedule. The Boilermakers are widely projected to finish last in the Big Ten and lack high-end talent on both lines.

Things ramp back up on November 15th with UCLA visiting Columbus. The Bruins weren’t expected to contend in 2025, but everything changed when former five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava entered the transfer portal after spring practice and committed to UCLA. Iamaleava led Tennessee to the playoff last season, possesses elite arm strength and mobility, and instantly turned the Bruins into a potential top-25 team. He alone makes this matchup dangerous.

Rutgers follows in Week Thirteen. Greg Schiano’s teams are always disciplined and physical, and that style will win games in conference play, but it has not troubled Ohio State in any meaningful way.

All of it leads to November 29th in Ann Arbor. Ohio State has lost four straight to Michigan. Ryan Day’s résumé includes a national championship, but this game sits at the center of his legacy. Michigan will start true freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, the top overall recruit in the 2025 class. Even if his development is uneven, Michigan returns a veteran defense loaded with future NFL players including Rayshaun Benny, Rod Moore, Derrick Moore, Ernest Hausmann, and Jaishawn Barham. They also have the nation’s best kicker in Dominic Zvada. Michigan’s roster is good enough to win the game without requiring Underwood to be a superstar.

Ohio State will likely be favored in every game except Texas. If the quarterback situation stabilizes and the defense plays to preseason expectations, the Buckeyes could easily reach November unbeaten. Their playoff hopes will likely come down to the same two games as always: Penn State, and Michigan.

Everything remains in front of them. The margin for error is simply smaller than ever.

[toysoldier00]

yeah i remember that chise, was a dope one

Any idea what site that was on?

That recruiting update was some detailed heat

One of the ways to make Ohio State fun, is to really dive deep on the characters. Will be a major focus here.

I'll forgive it if the rest of the updates are bangers like the recruiting gfx

only getting started

[Soapy]

That recruiting update was some detailed heat

no dickride but his Tennessee chise and Deegeezy's Tulane is what inspired me to do the detailed recruiting i started doing in strength in unity

Any idea what site that was on?

I thought it was on Operation Sports and then you brought it over to Simulation Sports, the predecessor to this site which is no longer there.

[Captain Canada]

Smith Biletnikoff is incoming. Go forth and conquer.