While most of Buckeye Nation was focused on Big Ten Media Day in Indianapolis, Ohio State fans should note some recruiting news. One of Ohio’s top prospects for the 2026 recruiting cycle, Elbert Hill, the No. 17 player nationally according to 247Sports’ Composite Ratings, is planning a visit to Eugene, Oregon this weekend. However, he hopes to visit Columbus again before heading to the Pacific Northwest.
Hill, the top-rated cornerback and player in Ohio, is a key target for Tim Walton as he builds the Buckeyes’ defensive roster. Hill, a rising junior at Archbishop Hoban in Akron, has already visited Columbus twice recently, once for a spring practice and once for a summer camp. He now aims to visit the campus on Thursday before his trip to Oregon for a significant recruiting event.
Hill’s father mentioned plans for game-day visits to Alabama, Notre Dame, Penn State, Tennessee, and Ohio State this fall, calling Ohio State a “no-brainer.” In March, Bill Kurelic of Bucknuts predicted Hill would become a Buckeye, but Oregon, backed by Phil Knight’s resources, has become a strong contender in the NIL era, especially with their upcoming Big Ten competition.
Oregon is also favored to land Trey McNutt, the No. 19 safety for 2025 and the No. 2 player in Ohio. If OSU loses both McNutt and Hill to Oregon, it would be a significant blow to their defensive back recruitment.
In a weekly chat, Bucknuts’ Steve Helwagen acknowledged rumors that the nation’s No. 2 player, David Sanders Jr., is leaning towards OSU. Sanders, set to commit on August 17, is considering Ohio State and Tennessee. There is growing optimism that Ohio State’s offensive line coach Justin Frye might secure Sanders, a top offensive lineman, which is a crucial need for the Buckeyes. CFB Focus, known for accurate insights into Ohio State football, also suggested Buckeye fans should feel optimistic about Sanders’ decision.
Quick #OhioState football recruiting update — and remember, I do not classify myself as an info guy, but I hear things occasionally and usually feel like passing them along.
Fans should feel pretty good about the Buckeyes chances of landing David Sanders Jr. The touted lineman…
— CFB Focus 🏈 (@cffmwachsman) July 20, 2024
While recruiting is unpredictable until official commitments in December or February, Sanders plans to finalize his decision in three weeks to focus on his senior season at North Carolina’s Providence Day School. His potential commitment on August 17 would be highly significant for the Buckeyes.
Nevertheless, Helwagen reminded readers that no single prospect will determine Ohio State football’s future. “It looks like it is Ohio State or Tennessee. Just let it play out..,” he said. “They’ve had football at Ohio State for 134 years and may have it for 134 more. Is he important? Yes. But the program is going to be OK either way.”
