Ohio State building momentum with a top 2026 running back, have multiple big visitors on tap

The Buckeyes have a ton going on this week, presenting a major recruiting opportunity to close the spring football season.

This week Ohio State had the pleasure of hosting Georgia native four-star running back target, Carsyn Baker. Placing the Buckeyes in his final top five schools list just last week, quickly momentum has given Ohio State the lead in this recruitment following this latest unofficial visit, with several signs of confirmation coming on Wednesday that the Buckeyes sit in the pole position.

Steve Wilftong of On3 submitted his prediction for Ohio State to in fact land Baker when all is said and done. Giving the nod to these pro-OSU updates, Baker took to social media himself to share some recent photos of he and position coach Carlos Locklyn, which doesn’t exactly dismiss the notion that the Buckeyes are the team to beat.

The goal in the 2026 class has always been to take two running backs in the cycle, and if Baker wants in, the Buckeyes will welcome him with open arms. A second back will continue to be a priority, but getting one in the fold sooner rather than later looks to be trending in a positive direction.

The No. 175 player nationally and 14th best running back in the class per the 247Sports Composite, Baker is really feeling the Buckeyes, and that’s exactly where Ohio State’s staff wants to be as they work for his commitment.

Major 2026 targets set to see Ohio State

Always a major recruiting opportunity, the spring game brings elite talent to campus and this year is no different. All spring long Ohio State’s staff has played host to talent from all over the country, and this weekend looks to be the cap to what has been a very impactful last several weeks for the 2026 class and beyond.

One of the premier visitors to be in town on Saturday, as Ohio State will welcome Georgia linebacker Tyler Atkinson for a massive recruiting opportunity. The No. 7 player nationally and top linebacker per the 247Sports Composite, Ohio State and every other program for that matter are doing what they can to land the five-star talent.

You can guarantee position coach James Laurinaitis and the rest of the staff will roll out the scarlet carpet during his stay.

In addition to Atkinson, the Buckeyes will also host Florida running back Derrek Cooper this weekend. The No. 36 player nationally and second best athlete per the 247Sports Composite, Cooper has made his rounds this spring to his top schools, and now it’s Ohio State’s turn to impress the Chaminade-Madonna product.

The same prep program to produce current Buckeye phenom Jeremiah Smith, the Buckeyes are in a very solid position recruiting the school and will be for the foreseeable future. Hoping to keep the pipeline open, Ohio State sits in a solid position for multiple running backs in the current class, but will have a hard time saying no to any of these top targets.

Last but certainly not least, recent commit Blaine Bradford will also make a trek to Columbus this weekend to see his future home. Further proof that his commitment is as solid as the “shut down” statements are saying, the best part of having Bradford back this soon after his pledge is he can now put on the peer recruiter hat and be in the ears of the rest of these top 2026 targets also in town.

The No. 23 player nationally and top safety per the 247Sports Composite, Bradford’s words carry some weight to them, and if he’s doing what he can to pitch the Buckeyes to many of the top national players, that’s exactly what the coaching staff will want him to do as a leader of this cycle.

It’s going to be a massive weekend for the Buckeyes, and while plenty of attention will be given to the current roster showing off the next wave of talent, recruiting is right there atop of the priorities for Saturday and beyond.

2027 cornerback lands Ohio State offer

Much of the attention and headlines this week are going to the visitors that have been and will be flocking to Columbus this week, but the coaching staff is still finding time to evaluate new names. On Wednesday, the latest offer came by way of the 2027 class when North Carolina native Akedran Crumel shared via his social media that the Buckeyes were the latest program to enter his recruitment.

A 6-foot-1, 170 pound cornerback prospect, Crumel is currently unranked via his 247Sports profile, but does have nearly 20 offers to his name. Programs such as Duke, Florida State, North Carolina, South Carolina, USC, and others have taken notice, but Ohio State entering the mix should only help to turn more heads his way.

With the track record of success the Buckeyes have at the cornerback position and the incredible run Tim Walton is on running his position room, any offer that goes out to a cornerback means the kid can flat out play. One of the bigger programs now taking notice, Ohio State will have ample opportunity to build a relationship for the long haul.

Quick Hits

• Sticking with the running back theme, frequent visitor and in-state target Favour Akih (Delaware, Ohio/Rutherford B Hayes) will once again make another trip to Ohio State this weekend for the spring game. The No. 206 player nationally and 15th best running back in the 2026 class per the 247Sports Composite, this is the fourth visit this spring alone for Akih.

As mentioned, the Buckeyes are looking to take two at the position in the current cycle, and should momentum continue with Baker, Akih shouldn’t take much more time.

• Set to arrive on campus today, offensive line target Felix Ojo will begin his two-day trip with the Buckeyes. The No. 25 player nationally and fourth best offensive tackle per the 247Sports Composite, Ojo is a major priority for Bowen and Ohio State. These next two days will be used for nothing more than to show him how much he would mean to this 2026 class.

Maybe one of the more important aspects to this visit, Ojo took to his social media to share that his original plans of visiting Notre Dame today were canceled, and now Ohio State will have him for an increased amount of time. Momentum is building, but more work is needed for the Buckeyes to win out this recruitment.