BREAKING: In-state offensive lineman Max Riley commits to Ohio State
COLUMBUS — New Ohio State offensive line coach Tyler Bowen has landed his first offensive line commitment in Columbus.
Four-star Avon Lake (Ohio) interior offensive lineman Max Riley has committed to Ohio State over Clemson. The 6-foot-3.5, 265-pound Riley also held scholarship offers from Alabama, Florida State, Michigan, Oklahoma and Penn State.
Riley is the No. 133 overall prospect in the 2026 class, according to the On3 Industry ranking. He ranks as the No. 8 interior offensive line prospect and No. 4 prospect in Ohio. On3 ranks Riley as the No. 33 interior offensive line prospect and No. 19 prospect in Ohio.
The in-state standout was inside Ohio Stadium for the Buckeyes’ National Championship celebration in January.
“I mean, only one team really gets to celebrate a national championship,” Riley told Lettermen Row after the visit. “I think just being there, seeing the environment, seeing what it was a pretty cool experience.”
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“We got to talk to Coach Day after the celebration, which is crazy. Like the head coach of the national championship team wants to take time to talk to you after their ceremony and whatnot, it’s pretty cool.”
Riley is the fifth commitment for Ryan Day and Ohio State in the 2026 class. He joins a class that includes four-star Avon (Ohio) cornerback Jakob Weatherspoon and three-star Pataskala (Ohio) Watkins Memorial wide receiver Jaeden Ricketts as in the in-state commitments.
The Buckeyes also have Five-Star Plus+ Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei wide receiver Chris Henry Jr., four-star Jacksonville (Fla.) The Bolles School and tight end Corbyn Fordham committed from outside of Ohio.