Ohio State Faces Recruiting Battles Amid National Honors

Ohio State remains a dominant force in college football, with star receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs named by PFF as the top offensive and defensive players in the country. The Buckeyes are maintaining a top-ranked 2026 recruiting class but face challenges, such as LSU's aggressive pursuit of four-star safety Blaine Bradford, who is currently committed to Ohio State. Defensive standouts Caleb Downs and Davison Igbinosun have been named to the 2025 Jim Thorpe Award watch list, reflecting the program's depth even after losing several starters. Michigan made recruiting headlines by flipping five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood from LSU, positioning him as a likely starting QB for the upcoming season. Nationally, programs like Boise State and Arizona State are making progress in recruiting and preseason honors. USC continues to target top 2027 recruits, including defensive lineman Reinaldo Perez, with Ohio State still considered a strong contender for his commitment.