The Buckeyes also saw a priority five-star WR target officially re-open his recruitment.
Ohio State has had a busy spring. The last few months saw the Buckeyes play host to many of the nation’s top prospects for spring recruiting events, including the annual Spring Game. The coaching staff has also been busy traveling across the country to visit with the recruits they want most to become future Buckeyes.
The Ohio State staff has done all of the above, all while also preparing the current roster of Buckeyes for the upcoming season — one which seems to gain more expectations every day.
Ohio State continued the trend of making recruiting a priority on Monday when the team looked towards the future, officially offering 2026 four-star wide receiver Madden Williams (Bellflower, CA / St. John Bosco).
Blessed to receive an offer from THE Ohio State University @OhioStateFB Thank you @ryandaytime @brianhartline and the rest of the staff for believing in me. #GoBuckeyes #WRU @boscofootball @coachstevenlo @COACH_T_BULLOCK @adamgorney @GregBiggins @ChadSimmons_ pic.twitter.com/2WBAEHxGrZ
— Madden Williams (@MaddenWilliams1) May 20, 2024
Williams has had a busy spring, attending many schools and camps across the country, and he has impressed at all of them. His most recent camp was the final regional of Overtime’s OT7 season, where Andrew Ivins of 247Sports listed Williams as one of the camp’s top performers.
He had the following to say about Williams’ performance:
Williams powered his club to its first-ever OT7 trophy, scoring 11 touchdowns over the course of the two days. That included three in the final. A well-rounded pass catcher, Williams was able to constantly create separation with double moves and sudden movements. We were also impressed with how he boxed-out opposing defenders at the catch point. Williams caught 42 passes for 496 yards and five scores as a sophomore at Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco.
Williams’ strong performances has led to him receiving offers from programs like Penn State, Florida State, Tennessee, SMU and now Ohio State. His total offer list is now around two dozen offers.
Ohio State is already off to a quick start at wide receiver in the 2026 class. In large part to Brian Hartline, the Buckeyes sole commitment in the 2026 class is five-star WR Chris Henry Jr., who is currently the No. 1 WR according to 247Sports.
Williams is the No. 40 WR and the No. 257 overall prospect in the 247Sports Composite Rankings. He is also the No. 25 recruit out of the talent-rich state of California.
Dakorien Moore decommits from LSU
Ohio State saw one of its major wide receiver targets in the 2025 recruiting class officially decommit from LSU recently. Ohio State has long been trying to flip five-star receiver Dakorien Moore (Duncanville, TX/ Duncanville), and now that has become even closer to reality.
Respect my decision🙏🏾! pic.twitter.com/c35MCxqiBV
— 𝓓𝓪𝓴𝓸𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓷 𝓜𝓸𝓸𝓻𝓮🃏 (@thereal_kori2x) May 17, 2024
The Buckeyes are now one of three finalists for Moore, along with Texas and Oregon, and all three schools will host him on an official visit. The Buckeyes will be hosting him first, with his visit scheduled for May 31, followed by Texas and then Oregon will be last.
Despite being committed to LSU, Moore has long been associated with Ohio State, and Brian Hartline has made it obvious the Buckeyes want him. Because of this, the Buckeyes were viewed by as not only the biggest challenger to LSU, but the favorites to land him.
At the same time, Texas was also gaining ground, and the hometown school now looks to be in pole position to get him. Shortly following Moore’s announcement to decommit from LSU, a flurry of Crystal Ball predictions were cast on 247Sports in favor of Texas. Ohio State will get a chance to sway him to leave home, but the Buckeyes will need to pull out all of their tricks if they are going to do so. Luckily, there is no man better for that job than Brian Hartline.
Moore is the No. 1 WR and the No. 3 overall prospect in the 247Sports Composite. He is also the No. 1 recruit out of Texas.
Quick Hits
Jake Diebler and the Ohio State men’s basketball team also made noise on Monday. 2025 four-star power forward EJ Walker (Erlanger, KY / Lloyd) announced his top four schools, and the Buckeyes made the cut alongside Purdue, South Carolina and Wisconsin. Walker also announced a commitment date of May 24.
I will be committing on 5/24 6pm Lloyd Memorial HS Scheben Gym. Everyone is invited @PaulBiancardi @TheRealNickOsen @ebosshoops @Rivals @TiptonEdits @on3 @MidwestBBClub @CoachDRamey613 @jakeweingarten @EvanDennison1 pic.twitter.com/54fhJHtAes
— EJ Walker (@ejwalker_) May 20, 2024
Walker is the No. 29 PF and the No. 146 overall recruit in the 247Sports Composite. He is also the No. 2 recruit from Kentucky.
Diebler and the Buckeyes were not finished there, however, as the men’s basketball Buckeyes continued to make headlines. Ohio State recently offered 2025 five-star power forward Caleb Wilson (Atlanta, GA / Holy Innocents Episcopal School), and he already seems to be interested in the Buckeyes. So much so, he already has a visit date in mind: Nov. 30 for the Ohio State-Michigan football game.
Ohio State offer "really intriguing" to Five-Star Plus+ PF Caleb Wilson.
Jake Diebler offered Wilson less than two weeks ago and he already has a date in mind for his first visit to Columbus.
More on @LettermenRow (On3+): https://t.co/4CnY5cGlO1 pic.twitter.com/wBVu5S9eod
— Mick Walker (@mickdwalker) May 20, 2024
Wilson is the No. 2 PF and the No. 4 overall prospect in the 247Sports Composite. He is also the No. 1 recruit out of Georgia.
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