Ohio State Football Faces Key Recruiting Losses Amid Texas, Oregon Competition

Ohio State football is gearing up for a highly anticipated season opener against the No. 1 Texas Longhorns, featuring a quarterback change to redshirt-freshman Julian Sayin following the departure of Will Howard. The Buckeyes face notable defensive and offensive roster changes, including new players stepping up in key positions. Texas will start Arch Manning, a top recruit who chose Texas over Ohio State and other major programs, adding intrigue to the matchup as he faces a team he could have joined. Meanwhile, Ohio State’s recruiting efforts are encountering challenges, with recent losses of elite prospects such as five-star wide receiver Kesean Bowman to Oregon and the potential loss of defensive lineman Jalen Brewster to Texas. Additionally, Ohio State is competing to secure 2027 five-star running back David Gabriel Georges, who is also heavily pursued by Tennessee and Georgia, highlighting the intense recruiting battles ahead. Head coach Ryan Day, who led Ohio State to a national championship last season amid previous intense scrutiny and pressure, continues to steer the program through high expectations on and off the field.