Ohio State trending early for major targets in 2025 recruiting class

GinnanCollin

After reeling in the nation’s No. 3 recruiting class in the 2024 cycle, Ohio State is off to a hot start in 2025.

Eight prospects are currently committed and the Buckeyes rank No. 2 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. A trio of five-star recruits lead the way — Birmingham (Ala.) Parker cornerback Na’eem Offord, Houston North Shore cornerback Devin Sanchez and Bellefontaine (Ohio) quarterback Tavien St. Clair.

But Ryan Day and his staff in Columbus are far from done in this cycle. Ohio State is trending for multiple top prospects in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM), and Buckeyes recruiting insider Matt Parker broke down these recruitments on The Inside Scoop football recruiting show.

4-star EDGE Justin Hill

Cincinnati Winton Woods four-star EDGE Justin Hill is a top-five prospect in the state of Ohio. He ranks No. 90 overall nationally and is the No. 12 edge rusher in the 2025 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Ohio State insiders Matt Parker and Alex Gleitman have both logged expert predictions favoring the Buckeyes alongside On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons. Ohio State currently leads at 94.5% in the RPM.

“I wouldn’t expect a decision anytime soon,” Parker said about Hill. “Talking with Justin for about a year now, he’s really wanting to go through this process to the entirety of how he sees it playing out which includes some spring visits. He’s going to be at Ohio State (March 19), would assume he’ll be at Oregon and a couple of other places he’s really interested in — Alabama as well. Then expect official visits in June.

“I do believe that he is looking at an early July decision. So even though Ohio State is sitting in a pretty good position right now, this is going to go until about July or so.”

4-star WR Jaime Ffrench

Jacksonville (Fla.) Mandarin four-star wide receiver Jaime Ffrench is the No. 4 wide receiver in the 2025 cycle. Programs around the country have been working hard to earn Ffrench’s commitment after he decommitted from Alabama in January.

Parker logged an expert prediction for Ffrench at a 60% confidence level in favor of Ohio State. The Buckeyes lead in the RPM at 57% with Alabama (28%) and Florida State (10.7%) trailing.

“Brian Hartline. You just see what he has done, I feel like we’re just a broken record here. But ever since Jaime Ffrench decomitted from Alabama, there’s two schools that you’ve been hearing of — Ohio State and Florida State,” Parker said. “We heard about that last year in the 2024 cycle with Jeremiah Smith who is now two practices in as an Ohio State Buckeyes. Jaime Ffrench plays for South Florida Express, which Ohio State is very familiar with.

“I just see the production capabilities at Ohio State, what they have done in terms of development and what they are doing on the recruiting trail now. It’s hard for me to bet against Brian Hartline when there’s a five-star receiver from Florida that he really wants.”

4-star EDGE Mariyon Dye

Ohio State is in need of talented depth on the defensive line, and the Buckeyes hope to jump over to Indiana to pick up Elkhart (Ind.) Central four-star EDGE Mariyon Dye. Dye is the nation’s No. 147 overall prospect and No. 19 edge rusher in the 2025 class.

Parker and Gleitman both logged expert predictions at 60% for Ohio State. The Buckeyes lead in the RPM at 95.2%.

“This is a little bit of another long-term play for me here,” Parker said. “Chad Simmons reported this a couple of weeks ago — it’s an unofficial top four right now of Ohio State, Georgia, Tennessee and [Miami]. But the most important thing in that unofficial top four is that Ohio State is the only school north of the Mason-Dixon Line for a Midwest prospect. And when that’s the case, I feel pretty confident about Ohio State being able to cross state lines, go to Indiana and get an edge rusher that they — A, really want and B, really need.

“Ohio State is going to need to have a big defensive line class, particularly on the edge with guys like J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer in their last season at Ohio State. There’s not a lot of depth behind them, either, after a couple of misses in 2023 and 2024. So, Ohio State is going to have to load up and it’s going to have to be with talented guys like Mariyon Dye. So another long-term play here with that pick, but I do expect Ohio State to get that one done.”

4-star RB Marquise Davis

Another in-state prospect is trending for Ohio State, but in the opposite corner of the Buckeye State. Cleveland (Ohio) Cleveland Heights four-star running back Marquise Davis is a top-10 prospect in the state and No. 12 tailback nationally.

Parker logged a 65% confidence prediction in favor of the Buckeyes, and Ohio State leads in Davis’ recruitment with a 91.7% chance of landing him.

“He’s looking to have this decision made and be done before his senior season begins in August,” Parker said. “I would expect maybe a mid-July or late-July decision for Marquise Davis. Ohio State is certainly one of the top schools in his recruitment right now. So are USC, Michigan, Tennessee and Kentucky — there’s a number of schools that are high on Marquise Davis.

“I would expect a spring visit for Davis to Ohio State, make the short two-hour drive from Cleveland to Columbus to just continue to grow that relationship. Ohio State is going to need at least two running backs in this 2025 cycle, and I like Marquise Davis right now to Ohio State.”

4-star DL London Merritt

Back to the importance of Ohio State landing a substantial defensive line class in 2025, the Buckeyes are pursuing Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy four-star defensive lineman London Merritt. Merritt ranks No. 165 overall in the 2025 class and No. 13 at his position.

Gleitman logged an expert prediction at 60% confidence favoring the Buckeyes, and Ohio State is the clear leader in the RPM at 87.1%. North Carolina (3.7%) and Alabama (2.6%) are trailing.

When asked if Alabama was Ohio State’s biggest contender for Merritt, Parker said yes — but with a caveat.

“If you told me that Nick Saban was going to be the head coach at Alabama for 2024 I would absolutely say yes. Now, I’m still saying yes, but there’s a large separation between the two just talking with some sources with Ohio State,” Parker said. “Ohio State feels in a pretty good position right now for London Merritt, he’s already set his official visit to Ohio State for the second or third weekend of June. He’s going to be on campus March 30, which is a big visitor day for Ohio State — Jaime Ffrench is going to be there. Pretty big five-star weekend at the end of this month.

“Again, we go back to Ohio State needing to fill up its defensive line board for 2025, London Merritt sees a real opportunity there. This is a recruitment to pay attention to because Ryan Day has really inserted himself into this recruitment, and when the head boss inserts himself big inside a recruitment, it’s time to start paying attention.”

4-star LB Tarvos Alford

In the discussion of who could be the next top prospect to commit to Ohio State, look to Port Saint Lucie (Fla.) Vero Beach four-star linebacker Tarvos Alford. Alford is set to commit on March 30 and the Buckeyes are a top contender.

Ohio State currently leads in the RPM at 91.2% with Miami (3.3%) and Florida (2.8%) trailing.

“I would say TJ Alford is the guy that we really have to watch. He has a commitment date set for March 30,” Parker said. “He has an unofficial visit to Ohio State March 23. I put in a pick on the Buckeyes to land him, my colleague Alex Gleitman has put in a pick. Corey Bender of Gators Online has made a pick for Ohio State. So you’re starting to see the trajectory and all of the picks are starting to roll in. That decision date is going to be here before we know it. I think TJ Alford is the one that we have to watch.”