Ohio State’s 2026 RB board sees changes, Buckeyes make top schools for four-star CB

Ohio State is on the verge of kicking off its busiest recruiting month of the year.

What may seem like a long time coming, the month of June and official visit season is all but here. Out all over the country the last several weeks doing nothing but recruiting, Ohio State is poised and ready to do the hosting that kicks off in the upcoming hours.

Bringing in elite talent nearly daily for the next four weeks, this is the biggest recruiting period for Ohio State prior to the regular season, and they’ll use these opportunities to continue building what is already a very impressive 2026 class.

Ohio State running back target focusing elsewhere

A common topic surrounding Ohio State’s 2026 recruiting class is the running back position. Wanting two in the cycle, Carlos Locklyn has put the Buckeyes in great position for several top-ranked players, and many of them will be making the trek to Columbus in the coming weeks for official visits that will hopefully help this staff close in on at least one to join the class officially.

While the staff gets ready to leave lasting impressions as soon as this weekend with Savion Hiter, on Thursday the Buckeyes learned that Georgia native Carsyn Baker would no longer be taking his originally scheduled official visit to Ohio State.

A player the Buckeyes had been on for some time, there was even a period where Baker was on serious commitment watch as Ohio State seemed to gain momentum. Whether this was a mutual parting or on Baker’s own doing, there’s now seemingly one less candidate to join the 2026 class at the running back spot.

The No. 181 player nationally and the 15th best at his position per the 247Sports Composite, it wasn’t long after his announcement that he was pegged by Steve Wiltfong of On3 to land at Florida. Certainly some light shed on the situation, the Buckeyes look to be heading elsewhere for their targets, and fortunately they remain in a solid place for multiple others.

Fitzpatrick keeps Ohio State in the mix after narrowing it down

Planning on adding additional players at the cornerback spot, Tim Walton has at least two currently in the fold. While the defensive back class as a whole is in great shape thanks to the safeties also committed, the need for more is not only a desire, but a necessity considering some of the veteran presence on the roster. With that, the staff will have plenty of chances to put themselves in a great position these next few weeks.

One name Ohio State would love to add, St. Thomas Aquinas product Justice Fitzpatrick is one of the top players at his position. On Thursday, the Buckeyes remained in the mix for at least a while longer as he released an update of just five schools still under his consideration.

The No. 47 player nationally and the third best cornerback per the 247Sports Composite, Fitzpatrick kept Florida, Georgia, Miami, and Texas in the running in addition to Ohio State. Nearly 50 offers to his name, getting down to single-digits shows his desire to get closer to a decision for where he will end up and the Buckeyes are happy to have more time pitching why their development and program is the best fit.

Last on campus in March, another visit would be the goal for the staff and they’ll push for that to be the case as they keep their search on for guys to fill the needs at cornerback.

Quick Hits

• Plenty of big names are set to be in Columbus this weekend, and you can add Arizona native offensive tackle Aaron Thomas to the list as he gets in town later today.

A 6-foot-7, 300 pound three-star, Thomas checks in as the No. 595 player nationally and 48th best tackle in the 2026 class per the 247Sports Composite. In need of offensive tackles, it will be interesting to see where position coach Tyler Bowen goes, but Thomas being in town makes him a viable option.