Buckeyes ink Top 5 ranked football recruiting class
Ohio State and head coach Ryan Day have signed yet another top five recruiting class, as the Buckeyes officially unveiled a 26-person class that includes 13 players on offense and 13 on defense.
Every major recruiting service ranks the class in the top five – it comes in at No. 3 by Rivals, No. 3 by On5 and No. 5 by 247Sports. It marks the fifth consecutive year that the Buckeyes will sign a class ranked in the top five by those major recruiting services.
Ohio State signed three of the top five players in the state of Ohio according to 247Sports' rankings. That include the state's No. 1 player, quarterback Tavien St. Clair, who is the No. 3 overall player in the class regardless of position. It also secured two of the state's top offensive linemen – Carter Lowe from Toledo and Jake Cook from nearby Westerville.
The Buckeyes also went out of state to places where they've had success in the past. Three New Jerseyans are coming on board: WR Quincy Porter from Bergan Catholic High School and teammates De'zie Jones and Dashawn Stewart from DePaul Catholic in Wayne, N.J. Ohio State also had multiple players from Florida, Texas, Maryland and Pennsylvania. A total of 11 states are represented in this year's class.
Defensively, the class features five defensive linemen, two cornerbacks, three linebackers and three safeties. Devin Sanchez is the No. 1-rated cornerback and the Buckeyes were able to sign five players who are ranked in the top 10 at their respective position on the defensive side of the ball.
On offense, Ohio State is bringing in three running backs, three offensive linemen, four wide receivers, two tight ends and one quarterback. There are seven top-100 ranked players in the class – three on offense (St. Clair, OL Carter Lowe and WR Quincy Porter) and four on defense (Sanchez, SAF Faheem Delane, LB Riley Pettijohn and DL Zion Grady).
TJ Alford // LB // 6-2, 215 lbs. // Port Saint Lucie, Fla./Vero Beach
• Is a four-star prospect who is ranked as a top-100 player nationally regardless of position.
• The nation's No. 9-ranked linebacker according to 247Sports
• TC Palm's Defensive Player of the Year as a junior in 2023 when he totaled 114 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and four sacks.
• Added six pass breakups, three QB hurries and an interception while helping Vero Beach reach the regional semifinals of Florida's 4S playoffs.
• Played in sophomore season at John Carroll High School where he was credited with 103 tackles and three sacks.
• Selected to play in the Navy All-American Bowl
• Parents are Barbara Minnis and Tarvos Alford.
Phillip Bell // WR // 6-1, 195 lbs. // Mission Viejo, Calif./Mission Viejo
• A four-star prospect who is a consensus top 150-ranked player nationally.
• Caught 56 passes for 644 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior.
• His team win the CIF Division 1-AA title and a Southern Section Division 2 crown.
• Played his freshman and sophomore seasons at Christian Brothers in Sacramento, Calif.
• Selected to play in the Navy All-American Bowl
• Late mother is Samantha Barnes. Aunt is Serena Chao.
Jarquez Carter // DL // 6-2, 285 lbs. // Newberry, Fla./Newberry
• Interior defensive lineman who is a three-star prospect by all the major recruiting services with big upside.
• Finished his junior season with 67 tackles but was a disruptive force with 37 tackles for loss.
• Added 15 QB hurries and nine sacks.
• Entered his senior season with 81 career tackles for loss and 26 sacks in just 33 varsity games.
• As a senior, he led Newbury to a 10-2 record and FHSAA 2A regional final appearance.
• Is a two-sport athlete who also plays basketball.
• Mother is Jillisa Carter.
Jake Cook // OL // 6-5, 295 lbs. // Westerville, Ohio/Westerville North
• Is the second-highest ranked interior offensive line prospect in Ohio and the fifth-highest OL prospect overall.
• Has a three-star designation from 247Sports and has steadily risen up the rankings over the last two years.
• Played for former Ohio State quarterback Stanley Jackson, who is the head coach at Westerville North.
• Played all five positions on Westerville North's offensive line throughout his high school career.
• Helped Westerville North to back-to-back winning seasons as a junior and senior; the Warriors' offensive averaged 29.3 points per game this past fall.
• Was an All-OCC wrestler at Westerville North as a junior.
• Parents are Kelly and Anthony Cook.
Faheem Delane // SAF // 6-3, 205 lbs. // Olney, Md./Our Lady Good Counsel
• One of the nation's top-ranked safeties; holds a four-star designation by all the major recruiting services.
• A national top-50 ranked player who is the nation's No. 8 safety and No. 3 player in the state of Maryland.
• Name the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) Defensive Player of the Year as a senior this fall.
• Had 97 tackles (46 solo) with seven tackles for loss, two sacks and three interceptions in 12 games.
• Helped Good Counsel win a WCAC championship during his junior season in 2023.
• Totaled 69 tackles and 18 pass breakups while earning All-Met honors by the Washington Post.
• Has an older brother, Mansoor, who is a defensive back at Virginia Tech and was a freshman All-American in 2022.
• Parents are Medina and Jafau Delane.
Zion Grady // DL // 6-4, 240 lbs. // Enterprise, Ala./Enterprise
• Is Ohio State's top-rated defensive line prospect in this class.
• A four-star player who is the nation's No. 71 overall player in the 247Sports composite rankings and the No. 5 edge rusher.
• Played his junior season at Charles Henderson High School where he helped the team to a state runner-up finish.
• Had 87 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and an interception.
• Was the 2022 Alabama Class 5A Lineman of the Year as a sophomore; totaled 108 tackles, 22 sacks, three forced fumbles and also blocked three field goals.
• Received an invitation to play in the 2025 Navy All-American Bowl.
• A MaxPreps Preseason All-American
• Selected to play in the Navy All-American Bowl
• Mother is Yunaka Brown. Uncle is Bobby Starks.
Cody Haddad // SAF // 6-0, 175 lbs. // Cleveland/St. Ignatius
• A talented athlete who is the one of the top-rated defensive prospects in the state of Ohio.
• A three-star prospect who was a versatile star at traditional power St. Ignatius in Cleveland.
• In addition to playing safety, also lined up at wide receiver and was his team's kick and punt returner.
• A three-sport athlete who also played basketball and ran tracks.
• Has track times of 21.8 in the 200m and 10.9 in the 100m.
• His father, Drew Haddad, was drafted by the Buffalo Bills and was a record-setting wide receiver at the University of Buffalo.
• While an injury limited him to just four games as a junior, he still compiled 42 tackles, three forced fumbles and four interceptions.
• Parents are Colleen and Drew Haddad.
Bo Jackson // RB // 6-0, 210 lbs. // Cleveland/Villa Angela-St. Joseph
• Checks in as a four-star prospect by 247Sports who is the No. 5 running back nationally and No. 6 player in the state.
• Is Ohio's top-ranked running back in this class and one of the top skill position players in the Midwest.
• Finished his junior campaign with nearly 30 total touchdowns and 1,700 rushing yards.
• Averaged better than 10 yards a carry.
• His senior season was limited to just four games but he still managed to run for 588 yards and 10 touchdowns.
• Was also a standout baseball player and regional qualifier in track.
• Parents are Andria and Lamar Jackson.
De'Zie Jones // WR // 6-0, 195 lbs. // Wayne, N.J./DePaul Catholic
• A four-star prospect and one of the top players in the state of New Jersey.
• Totaled more than 3,000 receiving yards in his high school career.
• Caught six passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns in his final regular season high school game, a 28-21 win over St. Joseph's Regional.
• Had two INT's as he led his team to a state championship his senior year
• Caught 50 or more passes in each of the last three seasons at DePaul.
• Averaged a career-best 17.0 yards per receptions and scored 15 touchdowns as a senior.
• As a sophomore, he set the school record for receiving yards in a season with 1,003.
• Caught 59 passes and scored six touchdowns.
• His junior-year numbers include 52 receptions for 851 yards in 10 games.
• Parents are Noyshemah Mann and Frank Jones Jr.
Eli Lee // LB // 6-3, 230 lbs. // Akron, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban
• Is one of the top-ranked linebackers in the state of Ohio in this year's recruiting cycle.
• A three-star prospect with considerable upside who comes from one of the state's top high school programs.
• Had 119 tackles, 19 tackles-for-loss and 7.5 sacks in the regular season this past fall.
• Also added four pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one interception.
• Earned Division II co-Defensive Player of the Year Northeast Ohio Inland District honors.
• Made 22 tackles and had three TFLs in a playoff win over Nordonia.
• Parents are Cassie and Ben Lee.
Brody Lennon // TE // 6-4, 225 lbs. // Cleveland/Gilmour Academy
• Is the No. 1-ranked tight end in Ohio and the No. 12 player overall.
• Two-sport athlete who also excels in track.
• Caught 32 passes for 750 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior.
• On defense, made 86 tackles, 25 tackles-for-loss and added 13 sacks.
• Competed in the 200 meters, 400 meters, shot put and discus as a track athlete.
• Led Gilmour Academy to a 12-2 record and a regional final berth as a senior.
• Parents are Michelle and Patrick Lennon.
Carter Lowe // OL // 6-5, 320 lbs. // Toledo, Ohio/Whitmer
• Is the top-ranked offensive linemen this year in the state of Ohio.
• Holds a ranking of No. 2 overall in Ohio and No. 34 nationally by 247Sports.
• A four-star prospect by all the major recruiting services.
• First team All-Ohio by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association.
• Also played basketball and helped Whitmer reach the Division I state semifinals as a junior.
• Helped Whitner to a 9-3 record as a senior.
• Paved the way for an offense that averaged 36.5 points per game and advanced to the second round of the state playoffs.
• Parents are Latonya and Christopher Lowe.
Jayvon McFadden // OL // 6-4, 285 lbs. // Upper Marlboro, Md./Riverside Baptist
• A four-star prospect according to the 247Sports composite rankings
• Is the top-rated offensive lineman in the state of Maryland.
• Helped his team to a perfect 10-0 record as a senior.
• Coached at Riverside Baptist by former NFL running back Olandis Gary, who played for the Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos.
• Mother is Tara McFadden.
Bodpegn Miller // WR // 6-4, 185 lbs. // Manfield, Ohio/Ontario
• A four-star prospect who is a top-10 rated player in the state of Ohio.
• Is the nation's No. 12-ranked athlete by 247Sports.
• A finalist for Mr. Football in the state of Ohio this season.
• Played quarterback and defensive back at Ontario but will be a wide receiver for the Buckeyes.
• Holds school records for career passing yards, career passing touchdowns, career rushing yards, single season passing yards and single season rushing yards.
• Thew for 2,216 yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior while rushing for nearly 2,000 yards and 21 TDs.
• Owns four school records in track and is an All-Ohioan in the 200-meter dash and 4x200 meter relay.
• Was adopted from Ethiopia as a young child.
• Parents are Deanna and Alan Miller.
Trajen Odom // DL // 6-3, 285 lbs. // Matthews, N.C./Weddington
• A four-star player according to the 247Sports composite rankings.
• Transferred to Weddington from Panther Creek High School.
• Member of the Charlotte Observer 2024 Preseason All-Observer team.
• As a junior in 2023, finished with 54 tackles, 22 tackles-for-loss, four sacks and a forced fumble in 10 games.
• Weddington is 12-0 this season and is scheduled to play Friday in the next round of the state playoffs.
• Parents are DeWayne and Trisha Stafford-Odom.
Riley Pettijohn // LB // 6-2, 220 lbs. // McKinney, Texas/McKinney
• One of the nation's top-ranked linebackers; holds four-star designation from 247Sports and is the No. 22-ranked player in the state of Texas
• A finalist for the Butkus High School Award, which honors the nation's top high school linebacker.
• In 11 games as a senior, compiled 115 tackles, 12.0 tackles-for-loss and 5.5 sacks.
• Selected to play in the 2025 Navy All-American Bowl.
• His junior year stat line included 125 tackles, eight tackles-for-loss, three sacks and four QB hurries.
• Also competes in the long jump and 100-meter dash as a track athlete.
Quincy Porter // WR // 6-3, 205 lbs. // Oradell, N.J./Bergen Catholic
• A top-100 player according to 247Sports and the nation's No. 9-ranked wide receiver.
• The No. 1 player in New Jersey by the 247Sports composite rankings.
• Caught 57 passes for 969 yards and 11 TDs during his senior season; averaged 17.0 yards per catch and had a long reception of 90 yards.
• Finished his high school career with 133 receptions for 2,624 yards and scored 38 touchdowns in three seasons.
• Bergan Catholic defeated Don Bosco Prep in the Non-Public A finals to win the state championship and finished its season 11-1.
• Recorded 41 receptions for 969 yards and 16 touchdowns during his junior season.
• Competed in the 100 and 200m dashes as a track athlete.
• Parents are Fran and Darrin Porter.
Nate Roberts // TE // 6-5, 235 lbs. // Washington, Okla./Washington
• A four-star prospect and the nation's No. 9-ranked tight end according to 247Sports.
• Played in 12 games as a senior and had 42 receptions for 848 yards and 12 touchdowns.
• Averaged 20.2 yards per catch.
• Caught 38 passes for 816 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior in 2023.
• Finished his sophomore season with 33 receptions for 705 yards and 11 touchdowns.
• A two-sport athlete who also excelled at baseball.
• Parents are Cristin and Brian Roberts.
Anthony "Turbo" Rogers // RB // 5-8, 190 lbs. // Montgomery, Ala./Carver
• Is a four-star prospect by all the national recruiting services and the No. 11 running back according to 247Sports.
• Began his high school career at Pike Road High School – the same school as Quinshon Judkins – where he was a MaxPreps Freshman All-American and ran for 1,000 yards as both a freshman and sophomore.
• Spent his junior season at IMG Academy where he averaged nearly eight yards a carry in nine games against a national schedule.
• Transferred to Carver High School in Montgomery, Ala. for his senior season.
• He's served as the team's kick returner and is also its leading receiver with 478 yards on 42 receptions with four TDs through nine games.
• Had over 700 all-purpose yards and averaged nearly 10 yards per touch as a senior.
• Ran for 1,139 yards and scored 18 touchdowns as a freshman in helping Pike Road win the Alabama 5A state title.
• Invited to the Under Armour All-American game
• Mother is Alandria Long.
Maxwell Roy // DL // 6-3, 285 lbs. // Philadelphia, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep School
• One of the top players in the state of Pennsylvania.
• Holds a four-star designation from all the major recruiting services and according to 247Sports is the No. 6 player in Pennsylvania.
• Member of the 247Sports 2025 "Freaks List."
• Also is an All-American wrestler and competes in track and field throwing events.
• Comes from the same high school program that produced Marvin Harrison Jr. and fellow signee Isaiah West; defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is also a St. Joseph's prep graduate.
• Parents are Roxanne Jackson and Ron Roy
Devin Sanchez // CB // 6-2, 185 lbs. // Houston, Texas/North Shore
• A five-star prospect and one of the top players in the 2025 class regardless of position.
• Is the No. 1 cornerback and No. 5 overall player according to 247Sports.
• Received an invitational to play in the 2025 Navy All-American Bowl.
• District 21-6A first-team selection.
• Member of the 247Sports' 2025 Freaks List.
• Member of the MaxPreps High School Football All-America team.
• As a junior, made 57 tackles and had 29 pass break-ups while also forcing two fumbles and intercepting nine passes.
• North Shore is currently 13-0 and plays in next round of the state playoffs on Saturday.
• Parents are Deetra and Daniel Sanchez.
Tavien St. Clair // QB // 6-4, 225 lbs. // Bellefontaine, Ohio/Bellefontaine
• A five-star prospect and the nation's No. 2-ranked quarterback according to 247Sports.
• Invited to the Navy All-American Bowl in January.
• An Elite 11 finalist; won the accuracy challenge at the competition last summer.
• Is a finalist for 2024 Ohio Mr. Football; his career stats include over 10,000 passing yards and 100 touchdown passes.
• A three-time Central Buckeye Conference Offensive Player of the Year.
• Threw for 2,536 yards and 29 touchdowns in 11 games as a senior.
• Completed 70.6 percent of his passes as a junior and finished with 3,083 yards passing and 37 touchdowns in 14 games.
• Parents are Patricia and Marcus St. Clair.
Epi Sitanilei // DE // 6-4, 225 lbs. // Bellflower, Calif./St. John Bosco
• A top-10 rated player in the state of California and a four-star prospect by both 247Sports and ESPN.
• The No. 7-ranked defensive player in California and the second-highest ranked defensive lineman.
• In 12 games as a senior, he finished with 59 tackles, six tackles-for-loss and four pass breakups.
• Selected to play in 2025 Polynesian Bowl.
• MVP performer among defensive linemen at the Los Angeles Under Armour Camp.
• Parents are Sylvia West Mapuoletuli and Sione Stanley.
DeShawn Stewart // SAF // 6-1, 195 lbs. // Wayne, N.J./DePaul Catholic
• Four-star prospect by 247Sports and one of the top-ranked players in the state of New Jersey.
• Made 56 tackles as a junior with 19 pass breakups.
• Had his senior season cut short due to injury.
• DePaul won the Non-Public B state championship and finished with an 11-1 record.
• Teammates with fellow signee WR De'zie Jones.
• Mother is Latoya Bradshaw.
Isaiah West // RB // 5-11, 210 lbs. // Philadelphia, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep School
• Is the No. 9-ranked player in the state of Pennsylvania and No. 21 running back nationally.
• Had his senior season cut short due to injury.
• Was the workhorse back from St. Joseph's Prep as a junior as he led the team to the PIAA Class 6A state championship and a 13-1 record.
• Totaled 1,107 yards from scrimmage and scored 12 touchdowns.
• A Philadelphia All-Catholic selection and all-state honoree.
• Named the running back MVP of a regional Under Armour camp in Baltimore last spring.
• Parents are Veronica West-Yates and Byron Smith.
Jordyn Woods // CB // 6-4, 190 lbs. // Cartersville, Ga./Cartersville
• A three-star prospect who was one of the final members of the class to commit.
• Had 41 tackles in back-to-back years as a junior and senior.
• Added five pass breakups as a senior, two forced fumbles and one tackle for loss.
• First team All-Region 7-AAAA selection.
• In his two varsity seasons, Carterville was 25-2 and 11-0 against conference foes during the regular season.
• Parents are Amanda Young and Willie Woods.
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