Ohio State flips Rivals No. 2 CB Jay Timmons from Florida State

Gibsonia (Pa.) Pine-Richland cornerback Jay Timmons has flipped his commitment from Florida State to Ohio State.

”I want to compete with the best,” Timmons emphasized. “

He loves the program’s pedigree producing DBs and the “winning culture.”

“The standard that I need to push me.”

Timmons took his official visit to Columbus for the Buckeyes win over Penn State. He had been a verbal to FSU where his father was an All-American since June.

Ranked by Rivals as the nation’s No. 2 cornerback and No. 29 prospect overall, Timmons knows Ohio State is a program that can get the best out of him.

“Their defense is what excites me and the energy they bring it’s something different.”

Timmons becomes commit No. 23 for the Buckeyes in the 2026 class, adding to a haul Rivals previously ranked No. 9 nationally.

The environment during Timmons official visit blew him away.

“People don’t stop saying O-H-I-O,” Timmons said. “The people here are super loyal.”

Tim Walton was the lead recruiter for Timmons.

“I appreciate that they’re selective with their recruiting and Coach Walton I’ve met with in person and we connected with interests in real-estate. All the people I’ve talked to seem like great people.”

Scouting Jay Timmons

Rivals Director of Scouting Charles Power loves this pickup for Ohio State.

“Hyper-instinctual defensive back with playmaking ability, physicality, and athleticism that make him one of the top pure football players in the 2026 cycle. Measured at around 5-foot-10.5, 185 with 30.5-inch arms before his senior season. Improved his athleticism between his junior and senior seasons, running a 10.90 in the 100 meters and testing as an elite athlete in the combine setting.

“A two-way star at corner/safety and wide receiver for one of the top high school programs in western Pennsylvania. Highly instinctual in coverage. Loose mover with elite reactive quickness. Reads and jumps routes. Excellent at locating and making plays on the football. A football magnet and defensive playmaker who looks to force turnovers. Super physical and plays bigger than his size. Throws his body around as a run defender and looks to decleat ball carriers. 

“Outstanding in the camp setting, with a great showing at Under Armour’s New Jersey camp. Also flashes his ball skills and playmaking on offense. Finished his junior season with four interceptions and 10 pass breakups, along with 755 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Does not have plus size for the position, but is not severely undersized by any means. 

“The son of former 1st round pick and Pro Bowl linebacker, Lawrence Timmons. Younger for the cycle, turning 17 years old in April of his junior year. Offers high-end athleticism, instincts, and physicality with the potential to be an impact player in the secondary at corner, nickel, or safety.”