Ohio State gained ground with several recruits following Maryland win
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Ohio State is now 5-1 following Saturday’s win over Maryland. The Buckeyes earned another impressive victory with their 45-16 win against the Terrapins for their annual homecoming game.
With it being the homecoming game, Ohio Stadium was packed to the brim with Buckeye Faithful and alumni, creating an impressive atmosphere for all in attendance to take in. Buckeye Nation wasn’t alone though, as Ohio State also took the opportunity to play host to a handful of the nation’s top high school football recruits.
Ohio State travels to Indiana this week in what could be the Buckeyes’ biggest game of the season. Following the Indiana game, the Buckeyes have their Bye week.
As a result, last weekend’s game against Maryland was the last time in multiple weeks where Ohio State could host recruits on game day visits, and the visitor list did not disappoint.
One of the biggest names to attend Ohio State’s game last weekend was 2028 four-star running back Jayshawn Mitchell (San Antonio, TX / San Antonio Brennan).
Ohio State is making running back one of the more important positions in its 2028 class. The Buckeyes missed out on their top target in the 2027 cycle when David Gabriel-Georges committed to Tennessee over Ohio State.
The Buckeyes are still looking to grab a RB for their 2027 class and they are also working hard to avoid being in this same situation next year.
The Buckeyes are off to a quick start recruiting the position, as they already have a commitment from four-star RB Elijah Newman-Hall but they will also look to add at least one more back to this haul. Mitchell would make for an excellent pairing with Newman-Hall as well.
However, Ohio State has a lot of competition for Mitchell. The blue-chip back has also taken game day visits this year with Texas, SMU and Georgia and has more scheduled to close out the season. He also holds nearly 40 scholarship offers so he will be able to go to any school he wants.
Thankfully for Ohio State, his visit to Columbus seems to have gone very well and he said he could see himself playing for the Buckeyes in the future. However, Ohio State will need to continue making him feel like a priority if it is to secure a commitment from him and pull him out of SEC Country.
Mitchell is the No. 8 RB in the 247Sports Composite and he is the No. 113 overall recruit. He is also the No. 12 recruit out of the talent-rich state of Texas.
Another marquee name to visit with Ohio State last weekend for its game against Maryland was 2028 five-star edge Cassell Cruickshank (Fayetteville, NC / E. E. Smith) and similar to Mitchell, Cruickshank also appeared to greatly enjoy his visit to Columbus.
Another position of great importance in Ohio State’s 2028 class is alongside the defensive front, especially interior defensive linemen. The Buckeyes do hold an early commitment from four-star edge Jameer Whyce but will certainly be adding more talent alongside him in this haul.
Cruickshank would very much make for an excellent addition alongside Whyce, but similar to with Mitchell, Ohio State has its work cutout for the blue-chip prospect. Cruickshank holds more than 40 scholarship offers and has taken unofficial visits to schools like Tennessee, Oklahoma, Auburn, Georgia and South Carolina and will also look to take more to close out the season.
Ohio State will likely need to get him to make a return visit this season to solidify its chances of becoming a legitimate contender for his recruitment, but this is far from impossible to do. A return visit in late November for the Michigan game would make for an excellent fit, but he has not mentioned or hinted at a return visit yet.
Cruickshank is the No. 2 edge in the 247Sports Composite and he is the No. 7 national recruit. He is also the No. 1 recruit out of North Carolina.
Quick Hits
Ohio State was previously scheduled to also play host to 2028 five-star defensive lineman Kellan Hall (Louisville, KY / Christian Academy of Louisville) but he had to change his schedule last-minute.
Instead, Hall visited with homestate school Kentucky last weekend. Ohio State will still get a chance to host Hall on a game day visit this season as he has reportedly rescheduled his visit for Nov. 28 when the Buckeyes host their rival Michigan.
Hall is the No. 1 DL in the 247Sports Composite and he is the No. 2 national recruit. He is also the No. 1 recruit out of Kentucky.
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