
After Thursday’s quarterfinal game, the College Football Playoff final four teams are set, and the Buckeyes may be the hottest team in the field right now. Two games under their belt that have shown nothing but dominance on both sides of the ball, Ohio state is halfway to their ultimate goal, but has to love where they currently stand.
Keeping up with all phases of the program including off-field efforts, the Buckeyes are rolling there too as Thursday also saw some great news for the future of the program with the latest commitment in the 2026 class.
BOOM! Ohio State lands 2026 in-state four-star
As if things surrounding the Ohio State program couldn’t get ant better the past two weeks or so, the Buckeyes have added their latest commitment in the 2026 with in-state top target, Jakob Weatherspoon. Keeping their positive momentum going, the Buckeyes now have four commits in the next cycle, and more importantly keep one of the best Ohio natives at home for his college career.
A 5-foot-10, 175 pound athlete out of Avon, Ohio, Weatherspoon is currently ranked as the No. 164 player nationally and the ninth-best athlete in the class as well as the seventh-best player in Ohio per the 247Sports Composite. Likely a cornerback at the next level once he gets to Columbus, position coach Tim Walton was all smiles after the Oregon game, and that only continues with this latest addition.
A dynamic player all over the field, Weatherspoon has lined up in several different positions for his prep team. This past season saw him win a state championship as one of the main leaders on Avon’s squad. A true winner, the Buckeyes know what they’re getting in Weathersppon, and that’s versatility. Seeing his sophomore film will give plenty of examples of why this Ohio State staff prioritized him early, and seeing his junior campaign only furthered that notion.
Knowing how critical the state of Ohio is every year for the Buckeyes and their recruiting efforts, this in-state 2026 class may be all the staff needs when it comes to defensive backs. Cornerbacks Elbert Hill and Victor Singleton are the top two players in the state, and having Weatherspoon already in the fold as well as being in solid position for the aforementioned names is exactly what you’d want.
No. 4 for 2026 is locked in, and now it will be his turn to further the success as a peer recruiter for the long-haul. Seen before many times, it’s the in-state kids who can be the class leaders, and Weatherspoon is no different. A job well done by Tim Walton and staff, this cycle is really just getting started.
Quick Hits
Ohio State 2025 signee Anthony “Turbo” Rogers made his presence known in the Under Armour All-America Game. A late flip from Alabama in the 2025 class, the Buckeyes were thrilled to land one of the more athletic running backs in the country and for plays like this:
The ability to line up both in the backfield and split outside, Rogers has the home run play-making ability an offensive staff desires. Seeing him perform like this is one thing, but taking into consideration the amount of talent in the game he’s going against and you see all the more reason why Ohio State tried to hard to uproot him from his former Alabama commitment.
The No. 143 player nationally and eighth-best running back in the 2025 class per the 247Sports Composite, position coach Carlos Locklyn has another weapon on his way to Columbus.