4-star EDGE Zion Grady sets Ohio State visit
Ohio State has a way of inserting itself into a recruitment that often leaves high school prospects in love with the thought of playing for the Buckeyes.
A trip to Columbus often jolts the Big Ten program up top school lists. OSU will hope that occurs once Troy (Ala.) Enterprise four-star EDGE Zion Grady makes his way north next month.
Grady announced on Tuesday via social media that he’s set up an unofficial visit with the Buckeyes from May 3-5:
Since decommitting from Alabama in January — following the retirement of Nick Saban — Grady has been a top target for plenty of programs. He’s kept busy on the road this spring and has official visits set with Miami, Florida State, Auburn, Tennessee and Georgia.
“I know they develop my position very well,” Grady told On3 of OSU earlier this year. “Coach Johnson has a history. That is what has my attention.”
Grady is the No. 65 overall prospect and No. 9 EDGE in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 5 player in Alabama.
Miami ‘setting the pace’ for Grady
The Hurricanes could be the team to beat for Grady as he works through his recruitment for the second time. Last week, On3 VP of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong logged a pick in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine in favor of Miami landing Grady’s pledge.
Grady visited Miami earlier this month and Mario Cristobal’s program is making an impact on the 6-foot-4, 225-pounder.
“This most recent visit to Miami was another reminder why (Grady) is so high on the Hurricanes,” Wiltfong said. “The connection with Jason Taylor, Taylor’s track record as a player. The excitement around the Miami program, the trajectory under Mario Cristobal and the staff, they make him feel at home. Miami, in my opinion, is the one to watch for Zion Grady in his recruitment heading into the official visits.”
Ohio State Class Breakdown
Early in the 2025 cycle, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and his staff have gotten busy. Of OSU’s 13 commitments, nine are on that side of the ball and five are in the secondary. Ohio State holds commitments from the nation’s top two cornerback recruits — Five-Star Plus+ CB Na’eem Offord and five-star corner Devin Sanchez.
Their class also includes top-75 EDGE Zahir Mathis, top-70 cornerback Blake Woodby, four-star EDGE London Merritt, four-star linebacker Tarvos Alford, four-star cornerback DeShawn Stewart and in-state standout linebacker Eli Lee.
On the offensive side, OSU has already locked up its quarterback in the class with elite passer Tavien St. Clair, who ranks No. 2 nationally at the position in the On300. He’s joined by Toledo (Ohio) Whitmer four-star offensive tackle Carter Lowe, and four-star wide receiver De’zie Jones.
The Buckeyes picked up Washington (Okla.) four-star tight end Nate Roberts just ahead of kickoff for its 2024 spring game on April 13 and also landed a pledge from Cleveland St. Ignatius three-star safety Cody Haddad.