Ohio State sends out two new offers in 2027 class, visits top running back in the country

The Buckeyes have two new names worth keeping tabs on with multiple offers going out on Thursday in the 2027 class.

Always a special occasion for Ohio State, the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft saw plenty of reason to celebrate for the Buckeyes. With four players chosen in the first round, Ohio State was well represented as the school with the most first round selections (four), continuing an elite track record that couldn’t present more of an impressive recruiting pitch.

Plenty more names sure to come off the board later today, Ohio State has to be loving the timing of being on the road while seeing their development and program speak for itself.

Ohio State offers 2027 in-state running back

There is plenty of smoke surrounding the running back position in the current 2026 cycle, as the Buckeyes sit well for multiple top national targets and should learn their fate sooner rather than later in a class where they want two at the spot. Looking ahead, Ohio State is all about building lasting relationships, and Thursday saw a new offer dished out to class of 2027 athlete who looks to be on the rise.

Taking to his social media to share the latest news, Bedford, Ohio native Rayshawn Duncan Jr is one of the latest players to earn an Ohio State offer, and should continue to see a flurry of others now with the Buckeyes in the fold among other top schools.

A 5-foot-8, 195 pound athlete, Duncan currently holds offers from the likes of Arizona, Auburn, Georgia, Michigan, TCU, and others, but having the Buckeyes make the call hits a little differently when it’s an in-state kid who has grown up in Ohio State’s back yard.

Position coach Carlos Locklyn has been all over the recruiting trail lately, and his next prospect he’ll be getting to know on a more personal level looks to be here.

2027 edge rusher gets the nod from Ohio State

Another new offer to report, Ohio State was also active on the defensive side of the ball on Thursday and made waves once again in the DMV. A region that has been very kind to the Buckeyes over the years, this is Larry Johnson’s wheelhouse, so it makes even more sense to see this offer go out to another talented defensive lineman with a ton of upside.

The No. 54 player nationally and ninth best edge rusher in the 2027 class per the 247Sports Composite, Anthony Sweeney now has Ohio State on his offer list and joins the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Miami, Oregon, Penn State, and a host of others to be in the mix. At 6-foot-4, 215 pounds and a four-star in every aspect, it’s no surprise to see why the Buckeyes felt the need to offer even if they are later to the party than many of the other suitors.

From here, the Buckeyes can tout their development of fellow Maryland native, Chase Young, but the real recruiting pitch here is recency bias of a national championship run that featured some of the most elite defensive line play from the entire season. Ohio State and LJ have a track record in the DMV, and would love nothing more than to keep that the case.

Checking in on the top running back in the country

Making their rounds this week, Ohio State’s coaching staff was both local and all over the country checking in on many of their top target recruits. Specifically speaking, Carlos Locklyn had arguably his most important check-in in the last several days yesterday when he spent time with five-star running back target, Savion Hiter.

The No. 18 player nationally and the top running back in the 2026 class per the 247Sports Composite, Hiter hasn’t hid his real interest in the Buckeyes as of late. While nothing is a done deal right now, you have to love Ohio State’s chances of once again going into Virginia for the top running back in the country considering they’ve done so once before with TreVeyon Henderson.

A trip well worth the time for both parties, Locklyn is pulling out all of the stops for Savion and will continue to do so. Other running backs such as Carysn Baker and in-state native Favour Akih will continue to be names closely associated with Ohio State, but the recruitment of Hiter may trump all when it comes to importance.

Quick Hits

• Prepping to host an incredible haul of talent in the summer recruiting month of June, Ohio State will be busy to say the least. New names sure to be added to the guest list, yesterday news came about that four-star offensive lineman Ekene Ogboko has an official visit slated for the Buckeyes on June 13.

The No. 65 player nationally and fifth best at his position per the 247Sports Composite, Ohio State thanks to Tyler Bowen has made serious headway with several top linemen and should see their efforts pay off before too long.