Ohio State has wasted no time making a significant impact on the recruiting trail this offseason, despite the changes on their coaching staff. Less than three weeks after winning the national title, the Buckeyes are continuing to build for the future, with a focus on two elite prospects in the 2026 recruiting class. On Sunday, Ohio State found itself in the mix for both the No. 1 offensive tackle and the No. 2 wide receiver in the country, a huge boost to the program’s long-term plans.
The Buckeyes have had a whirlwind offseason, losing several key coaching staff members to NFL jobs, including defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, and offensive line coach Justin Frye. But despite the turnover, Ohio State’s recruiting machine continues to operate at full throttle, as the team remains a top contender for some of the most highly sought-after recruits in the nation.
One of those top recruits is Jackson Cantwell, a 6-foot-7.5, 300-pound offensive tackle from Missouri. Cantwell is widely regarded as the No. 1 overall player in the 2026 class, and his commitment will be a massive addition to any program. With at least 30 offers from programs around the country, Cantwell has narrowed his list down to six schools: Ohio State, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Missouri, and Oregon.
Ohio State has made a strong impression on Cantwell, with both Ryan Day and Justin Frye visiting him shortly after the Buckeyes’ national title victory. The visit to Nixa High School, where Cantwell plays, left a lasting impact on the young offensive lineman. “It’s hard to beat being a national champion,” Cantwell said about Ohio State. “A winning culture and a fantastic offensive line group is appealing.” However, with the departure of Frye, the Buckeyes are now in a position where they need to hire a new offensive line coach to continue building that relationship with Cantwell.
Cantwell’s recruitment is expected to be highly competitive, and the Buckeyes may have a tough road ahead without a permanent offensive line coach in place. Still, the tradition and success of Ohio State’s offensive line could prove to be an irresistible factor for the five-star prospect, especially if the team can quickly fill the coaching vacancy with a strong hire.
Alongside Cantwell, Ohio State has also cut Cederian Morgan, the No. 2 wide receiver in the 2026 class. Morgan, who stands at 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, is an elite prospect from Alabama, and his size and skills make him a matchup nightmare for defenders. Morgan has narrowed his list down to 10 schools, with Ohio State remaining in the mix alongside heavyweights like Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, and Oregon.
Ohio State has historically struggled to pull players from Alabama, but with the departure of legendary coach Nick Saban, the Buckeyes have found success in the region. Last year, Ohio State signed two Alabama natives, four-star defensive end Zion Grady and four-star running back Anthony Rogers, showing that the program can make inroads into a state known for producing top talent. Morgan could be another big win for Ohio State in Alabama, especially with the allure of working with wide receiver coach Brian Hartline.
Hartline is widely regarded as one of the best wide receiver coaches in college football, and he continues to produce NFL-caliber talent year after year. Morgan has praised Hartline and Ohio State’s reputation for developing top wide receivers. “If you want to be a wide receiver and make it to the next level, Ohio State is the place to be,” Morgan said in a previous interview. That type of endorsement from a highly sought-after prospect bodes well for the Buckeyes as they try to close the deal with Morgan.
Despite Ohio State’s momentum with Morgan, the in-state schools like Alabama and Auburn are expected to be tough competition. Morgan’s recruitment will likely come down to his desire to stay close to home versus the opportunity to join a program like Ohio State that has consistently developed elite wide receivers. The Buckeyes will need to continue to make their case over the next several months.
While the Buckeyes are focused on securing commitments from Cantwell and Morgan, the recruiting class is already off to a strong start. Ohio State has received expert predictions to land four-star linebacker CJ Sanna, and there are also high hopes for several other recruits, including a trio of offensive linemen in Adam Guthrie, Maxwell Riley, and Sam Greer, as well as four-star defensive linemen like Deuce Geralds and Cincere Johnson.
On the other hand, Ohio State did experience a bit of a setback when four-star cornerback Victor Singleton, a top recruit from Toledo, Ohio, committed to Illinois over the weekend. Singleton, ranked as the No. 6 cornerback in the 2026 class, had previously been predicted to join Ohio State, but the Illini were able to secure his commitment with the promise of early playing time. Despite this, the Buckeyes will likely stay in the hunt for Singleton and continue to pursue other top defensive talent to fill out the class.
As the offseason continues, Ohio State’s recruiting efforts will only intensify, with a heavy focus on securing these elite prospects for the 2026 class. Even with the coaching changes and challenges ahead, the Buckeyes have a long track record of success on the recruiting trail, and the addition of top-tier players like Cantwell and Morgan could be the foundation for another championship-calibre team in the future.
In conclusion, Ohio State is continuing to solidify its place among the nation’s elite recruiting programs. With top targets like Jackson Cantwell and Cederian Morgan still in the mix, the Buckeyes are positioning themselves for another stellar recruiting class in 2026. As the team works to rebuild its coaching staff and roster following a national title, fans can rest assured that Ohio State’s future is in good hands both on and off the field.