Ohio State signs Rivals 5-star CB Jay Timmons

On Nov. 6, Ohio State flipped Pittsburgh Pine-Richland cornerback Jay Timmons from Florida State. He’s now signed with the Buckeyes.

Timmons, an FSU legacy, made the decision to forge his own path in Columbus and is now a key piece to an OSU recruiting class that ranks No. 5 nationally. He’s also seen his stock rise in a big way this fall.

In the latest Rivals300 rankings update, Timmons checked in as the No. 12 overall prospect and top-ranked corner. He’s one of three No. 1 players at a position to ink with Ryan Day and Co., alongside five-star wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. and five-star defensive lineman Khary Wilder.

The road to Ohio State was windy for Timmons. He originally committed to Indiana in April and was just a three-star recruit. He eventually landed blue-chip status and then landed an offer from Florida State in June.

The son of famed FSU linebacker Lawrence Timmons took an official visit to Tallahassee and eventually flipped to the ‘Noles at the end of the month. In July, he leaped inside the top 50 in the Rivals300.

His process wasn’t quite done from there, though. As Florida State struggled again this fall, Ohio State extended an offer. He then set an October OV to Columbus and flipped to the Big Ten powerhouse on Nov. 6.

”I want to compete with the best,” Timmons told Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong. “Their defense is what excites me and the energy they bring, it’s something different.”

In total, Ohio State’s class features 13 top-200 prospects. It’s another elite haul for Day and Co. Timmons is one of the latest, yet biggest additions to the fold. He’s now officially inked with the Buckeyes.

Jay Timmons Scouting Summary

Rivals’ Scouting and Rankings Team writes this of Timmons as a prospect:

“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.”