Ohio State gets in the mix for 2027 linebacker target

The first road test of the season is nearly here. Just under 24 hours until kickoff, the Buckeyes have heard the talk the last week about Washington, and look poised and ready to confirm why they’re the top-ranked program in the country.

Betting lines changing and talks of Washington’s crowd, the atmosphere is sure to be a test, but one Ohio State can handle. Youth on the roster or not, it’s Ohio State, and at the end of the day the Huskies have to play the Buckeyes — not the other way around.

With plenty of eyes on this matchup, there’s recruits that will be on site who have both programs in mind, and it’s another chance for the Buckeyes to prove they are the rightful choice in the end.

Buckeyes offer 2027 Kansas City linebacker

Fully in offer season still, Ohio State’s staff is making it a point to leave no stone unturned as they not only look to finish their current 2026 cycle, but also in the 2027 class that is quickly taking priority. Offering new names left and right, the Buckeyes were back at it on Thursday making a stop in Kansas City, Missouri to offer 2027 linebacker target, Kobe Rhymes.

A 6-foot-1, 220 pound athlete, Rhymes is currently the No. 381 player nationally and 25th best at his position per the 247Sports Composite grades. Now up to nearly 20 offers to his name, the Buckeyes join the likes of Arkansas, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, and a host of others to be in the mix.

Ohio State has no linebackers committed in the 2027 class yet, but several offers out. Kobe becomes the next in line for Laurinaitis who has been on a heater when it comes to not only landing his top targets, but also developing them.

From here, the plan is always to get a newly offered prospect to campus, and that very well could be in the works in the coming weeks. With Ohio State now in the fold, it won’t be a surprise to see additional big time programs to come calling.

Doing fairly well in Missouri when it comes to recruiting history, the staff will look to once again use their pitch of why coming to Columbus can be the best choice of them all.

Ohio State checking in with former Clemson commit

College football recruiting is an ever-changing landscape now more than ever. In today’s realm, NIL and various other aspects can change things in a hurry, and that’s where Ohio State like any other program will look to swoop in and take over.

One of the main causes for recruits having second thoughts on their original commitments can certainly be coaching changes, but also how their future team is playing. Right now, that couldn’t be more true for Clemson, who in the first month of the season has all but ruined their chances to make the postseason.

With that, talk has started up about the Tigers making a change from Dabo, and while that remains to be seen, the Clemson recruits are taking notice of the team’s current status. Now, a premier recruit in the form of Dre Quinn has reopened his recruitment after cutting ties with the Tigers yesterday.

A 6-foot-4, 230 pound edge rusher, Quinn is a Georgia native out of the powerhouse Buford program who the Buckeyes know all too well. The No. 395 player nationally and 35th best at his position per the 247Sports Composite, this change in mind allows the Buckeyes and other schools to try their luck once more in hopes they can be the final landing spot.

Visiting Tennessee last week, it’s clear Quinn’s mind has been elsewhere, and this is a player Ohio State was in on before his Clemson commitment. Knowing the need for the Buckeyes to land additional players along the defensive line in the 2026 class, it’s not going to be a shock to see Ohio State really throw the full-court press at him down the stretch.

Options are thin this late into the cycle, but when a top player comes available, the Buckeyes would be wise to take notice and they’ll do just that. It won’t be easy, and Larry Johnson may have to hurry because Texas is definitely in the mix and others too will also be ramping up the efforts.