Elite WR Jaime Ffrench remains top priority for Ohio State, Brian Hartline

The chase is on for Jacksonville Mandarin elite four-star wide receiver Jaime Ffrench. Following his decommitment from Alabama in January, multiple high-profile programs have turned up the heat in their pursuit of the 6-foot-1, 185-pounder.

That includes Ohio State. Ryan Day, Brian Hartline and the Buckeyes are no strangers when it comes to recruiting top wideouts in The Sunshine State. After landing Five-Star Plus+ WR Jeremiah Smith last cycle, the Big Ten program is looking to bring Ffrench to Columbus next.

Ffrench is set to return for a spring visit on March 30, but he’s also set to see LSU, Texas and Tennessee in the coming weeks, too. Competition will remain stout in the push for the top-25 prospect, but the next step for the Buckeyes is making an in-person impression at the end of the month.

“Jaime Ffrench will be on Ohio State’s campus March 30, which is a pretty significant date for Ohio State. A few big-time visitors are going to be there as well,” Ohio State insider Matt Parker said on ‘The Inside Scoop’.

Last week, On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons confirmed that the Buckeyes are currently one of the top contenders for Ffrench entering an important spring slate. OSU is the out-of-state school with the most buzz, while Florida State looks to be near the top when it comes to in-state programs.

“I think a lot hinges on these trips. Right now, I’m not ready to say anybody out-of-state is competing with Ohio State. I think the one team that is competing with Ohio State is in the in-state school, Florida State,” Simmons said.

Hartline making Ffrench a top priority for Ohio State

Both Day and Hartline were quick to make their way to Florida to visit Ffrench following his decommitment from Alabama in January. Ffrench was in Columbus for a game visit in October and the staff in Columbus have continued to make him feel like the No. 1 priority.

“The tradition in the wide receiver room that (co-offensive coordinator/wide receivers) coach (Brian) Hartline has been able to build speaks for itself,” Ffrench said of OSU to Simmons after his decommitment. “What also stands out is the history behind Ohio State, what it means and the brotherhood there. They do a good job playing well. On the visits, I feel the love every time I’m there in Columbus.” 

“That’s Brian Hartline’s top wide receiver prospect right now,” Parker said. :Getting him back on campus is paramount for this 2025 wide receiver group…that board is really starting to take shape. Ohio State has one guy in the mix already with Jayvan Boggs … Jaime Ffrench right now is the guy for Ohio State.”

Ffrench is the No. 25 overall prospect and No. 5 wideout 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. 4 player in Florida.