5-star defensive lineman changes Ohio State visit plans, 2029 linebacker sets date

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Change to this weekend’s guest list impacts five-star defensive line target

With Maryland coming to Columbus this weekend, Ohio State has another opportunity to build on last Saturday’s impressive road win over Iowa before heading back out for two more important October matchups. The Buckeyes have a challenging stretch ahead of them, but as Ryan Day and his staff have made clear, this is the time of year when championship contenders begin separating themselves from the rest of the pack.

Of course, winning on the field isn’t the only priority this weekend. With several highly regarded recruits expected to make their way to campus, the coaching staff will also have plenty of work to do off the field. One notable name, however, has made a change to his plans.

Five-star 2028 defensive lineman Kellan Hall, who was originally expected to be in Columbus this weekend for an unofficial visit, has reportedly pushed his trip back to Ohio State’s regular-season finale against Michigan. While the Buckeyes would certainly have welcomed the opportunity to host him sooner, getting Hall on campus for The Game isn’t exactly a bad consolation prize.

The 6-foot-4, 265-pound prospect out of Louisville, Kentucky, is one of the most coveted recruits in the country, and for good reason. With more than 30 offers from some of college football’s premier programs, Hall has no shortage of options. According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, he is the No. 2 player nationally and the top defensive lineman in the 2028 class.

For Larry Johnson and the Buckeyes, keeping Ohio State firmly in the picture will be a major priority moving forward. The competition for a player of Hall’s caliber will be fierce throughout his recruitment, making every opportunity to get him on campus an important one.

Fortunately, the change in plans doesn’t appear to be a setback in Ohio State’s pursuit. Hall is still planning to make the trip, and with Michigan coming to town, the coaching staff should have an ideal opportunity to show him everything the Buckeye program has to offer.

2029 linebacker emerging as another important name to watch

James Laurinaitis continues to make his presence felt both on the recruiting trail and in the development of Ohio State’s linebackers. The former Buckeye great has done an excellent job helping maintain the program’s standard at the position, and his recruiting efforts have Ohio State in the mix for some of the country’s most promising young prospects.

One name worth keeping an eye on in the 2029 class is Jayvion Maldon, a talented linebacker from Leesburg, Virginia, who is already generating considerable interest from major programs. Fortunately for the Buckeyes, they’ll have an opportunity to make an impression on him in person next month.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound prospect has nearly 20 offers to his name, including one from Ohio State, and is taking an active approach to evaluating his options this fall. With visits to Florida, Virginia Tech, Ohio State, and Tennessee on his schedule, Maldon is giving himself an early look at several programs that could factor heavily into his recruitment.

Though he has yet to receive a ranking from 247Sports, Maldon is already establishing himself as a prospect to know in the 2029 cycle. His growing offer list speaks to the potential that college coaching staffs see in him, and with plenty of time remaining before his eventual college decision, his profile should only continue to grow.

Maldon is scheduled to visit Columbus on Nov. 14 when Ohio State hosts Northwestern. The trip will give him an opportunity to see the Buckeyes in action, spend time around the coaching staff, and get a better understanding of how Laurinaitis and the defense envision using linebackers in their system.

It’s still incredibly early in the process for a prospect in the 2029 class, but building relationships now can pay dividends down the road. With Laurinaitis leading the charge, Ohio State should have every opportunity to establish itself as a serious contender in Maldon’s recruitment.

Edge commit continues impressive season

Ohio State’s 2027 recruiting class already features some impressive defensive talent, and Wyatt Smith continues to show why the Buckeyes were so eager to bring him into the fold. Playing for one of the nation’s premier high school programs, Smith has put together an impressive start to his senior season and is making his presence felt on a regular basis.

Ranked as the No. 76 player nationally and No. 10 edge rusher in the 247Sports Composite rankings, the future Buckeye is giving fans plenty of reasons to be excited about what he could bring to Columbus. Take a look at what he’s accomplished so far this fall.

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