Ohio State sends out their latest offer to 2025 defensive lineman, Andrew Maddox
Ohio State’s staff isn’t showing any signs of slowing down on the recruiting front, as on Thursday, they continued dishing out new offers. Yesterday, the Buckeyes sent out another offer, this time to 2025 Mississippi native Andrew Maddox out of Oak Grove High School.
A 6-foot-3, 265-pound defensive lineman, Maddox took to social media to share that Ohio State was the most recent school to get into the mix for his services. The No. 138 player nationally and 17th best at his position per the 247Sports Composite grades, it’s not hard to see why he is currently rated as a four-star prospect with over 20 offers to his name.
Programs such as Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and several others have been in on this recruitment for a while, but Ohio State — even late to the party — sticks out. Ole Miss is the leader on the crystal ball predictions, but now that Larry Johnson is in the mix, that could eventually change.
With it being later in the cycle for Andrew, it’s important for the OSU staff to get him on campus at least once this summer in order to have a shot. If they are able to do so, Ohio State can be looked at as a player as he gets closer to a decision. The first step was offering him and now it’s all about getting him to Columbus.
Blessed to receive an offer from @OhioStateFB @R2X_Rushmen1 @ryandaytime @OhioStAthletics @OhioStateFB @SWiltfong247 @Hayesfawcett3 @ChadSimmons_ @BHoward_11 @MacCorleone74 @amaddox9595 @adamgorney pic.twitter.com/uyEEtZJQlk
— Andrew Maddox (@_iamdrewww_) May 10, 2024
Checking in with 2025 running back target
Obviously, it’s not new news to say that Ohio State’s top two running back targets in the 2025 class are Jordon Davison and Bo Jackson. They are both players that the Buckeyes have a real shot to land, so it’s full-steam ahead until the job is done, but even with those two backs being the top priorities, new position coach Carlos Locklyn has to have backup plans ready to go if he’s not able to land both Davison and Jackson.
Since his arrival, Locklyn has been all over the country doing his part to get his tenure off on the right foot. With that has come a bevy of new offers, even with the two aforementioned guys being the clear top choices. Bringing new names to the table as potential Buckeyes, it’s likely a situation where the staff knows they need other guys in the fold to turn to if things don’t go their way. Sure, the idea of taking even potentially a third at the position has been discussed, two has always been the ideal scenario.
That said, Locklyn is still doing what he can to show other names that Ohio State is still interested and yesterday he made a stop in Tennessee to check in with Shekai Mills-Knight.
A three-star prospect per the 247Sports grades, Mills-Knight checks in as the 31st running back in the class, but has offers from the likes of Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Oregon, Tennessee, and plenty more proving that his three-star status is probably due for a rankings boost.
The Buckeyes have offered and a visit in person definitely shows the interest Locklyn and Ohio State have. Again, Davison and Jackson are the two this staff wants and needs to land, but other prospects are more than just names. These players are also very real possibilities.
Appreciate you stopping by‼️#GoBucks @Locklyn33 @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/uQBa2jVgIq
— Shekai Mills-Knight ⭐️ (@sk_begreat) May 9, 2024
Quick Hits:
A busy day on the road, Johnson found time to make the trek down to Louisiana on Thursday where he spent time taking a look at five-star talent, Jahkeem Stewart.
The No. three player nationally and the top defensive lineman in the 2026 class per the 247Sports Composite grades, Johnson — like every other coach in the country — is making him a priority and right now, the Buckeyes are in a solid position with LSU as the other school making the biggest pushes early on.
Ohio State hasn’t recruited Louisiana as a state very hard historically, but guys like Stewart make it more than worth it, and this staff is going to do all they can to change their fortunes in that region. Plenty of time to go before a decision is made, and the Buckeyes should be heavily in the mix.
Ohio State DL coach Larry Johnson and LSU DL coach Bo Davis out at St. Augustine in New Orleans to check in on 5-star DL Jahkeem Stewart.
Ohio State and LSU among the top contenders for the No. 1 prospect in 2026. pic.twitter.com/Wonb0UQ7JX
— Marshall Levenson (@MarshallRivals) May 9, 2024