Top prospect in the 2026 class to visit Buckeyes; guest list for spring practice includes numerous in-state names

Ohio State’s spring game will be attended by the player ranked #1 in 2026.

With spring football practice officially starting in less than a week, the Buckeyes’ pursuit of a historic 2024 campaign is getting closer. It’s an exciting time for Ohio State, as they attempt to convert their many offseason victories into on-field victories. First looks at this new-look roster will soon be revealed.

Furthermore, this coaching staff will have plenty of recruiting opportunities over the next few weeks. Bringing in a sizable number of elite visitors, the benefit of having these athletes present to observe the program in action ought to simply intensify the momentum the current 2025 class is experiencing and even further

The best player in 2026 will visit OSU.
Given the number of prospects Ohio State will be hosting on visits over the course of the next month and a half, they will have plenty of opportunity to maintain their success in recruiting. Given the present cycle, the 2025 class is undoubtedly the top priority, but this crew is eager to start working on 2026’s major goals, as evidenced by some information released on Wednesday.

Jahkeem Stewart, the top defensive lineman in the 2026 class and the number one player in the country, has recently announced his visitation schedule, according to 247Sports Composite. Stewart, a 6-foot-6, 270-pound athlete, has already received close to 30 offers from the nation’s premier universities. Being a native of Louisiana, the Buckeyes don’t usually recruit the state very heavily, but Larry Johnson will undoubtedly be pursuing this prospect and will do all in his power to get him to leave SEC land.

Luckily, the five-star prospect will visit Ohio State on April 13 for the yearly Spring Game, so the Buckeyes will have a chance to impress him right away. This visit immediately stands out due of the timing. Stewart’s attendance at the spring season’s high point probably indicates that he is genuinely interested. Stewart will be given the red carpet treatment during his stay and given the opportunity to spend more time with some of the program’s other top recruits. He will also be given an opportunity to explain why Columbus and LJ are a good fit for him.

Over the next two weeks of spring ball, Stewart is scheduled to visit USC, Auburn, Oregon, and Texas A&M. His calendar will be busy as he intensifies his recruiting efforts, but the Buckeyes are now on the radar, which is a significant step toward having a chance at the top-ranked athlete in the country.
The best national players who travel to campus this spring will receive a lot of attention from recruiters, but many in-state Ohio products who choose to shorten their drive will also be significant. The Buckeyes, who will welcome multiple in-state players, always put their own players first, and many of the guys that come to town will undoubtedly be there for a purpose.

Drayden Pavey, a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio, who is a member of the 2025 class, announced on Twitter on Wednesday that he will be visiting Columbus on March 5. Pavey, a 6-foot-3, 305-pound defensive lineman, is currently the beneficiary of roughly 20 offers and is ranked 65th among players in his position by 247Sports.

The larger offers on his list include Pitt, West Virginia, Boston College, Cincinnati, Indiana, Kentucky, Pitt, and more, but visits to Ohio State even in the absence of an offer will undoubtedly aid in his recruiting efforts overall. Since his size makes him a good match for the interior defensive line, the Buckeyes always give their in-state players serious consideration. Pavey should at the

Looking ahead to the class of 2026, a fellow resident of the state revealed his visitation intentions to see Ohio State in the upcoming weeks. Shahn Alston, a running back, will be in Columbus on April 12 to see the Buckeyes, one of his many upcoming spring visits.

Alston, a 5-foot-9, 195-pound athlete, has had a few offers but is not presently ranked according to his 247Sports profile. Alston is just beginning to see his recruiting career take off. He has caught the notice of West Virginia and a few MAC schools, and travels to Columbus undoubtedly help to spread the word about him as he looks to attract the interest of other elite universities.