Buckeyes 2027 Recruiting Targets
by Bo Marchionte
@bomarchionte | College2Pro.com
Published June 26, 2026, 8:19 AM
Five Ohio State Recruiting Battles That Could Shape the 2027 Class
When it comes to covering Ohio State football, few recruiting analysts have earned the respect of Buckeye fans quite like Bill Landis. His reporting has long been a trusted source for recruiting news, roster analysis and the inner workings of Ryan Day’s program.
Recently, Landis ranked what he believes are Ohio State’s five most important remaining recruiting targets in the 2027 class, offering insight into where the Buckeyes are focusing much of their energy as official visit season unfolds.
Using Landis’ rankings as the foundation, the next step was going to Rivals under the ON3 umbrella and find out where these elite recruits are ranked on their 2027 recruiting rankings.
Two Things About Ohio State
Brian Hartline Is Gone. Will Ohio State’s Recruiting Pitch Change?
For nearly a decade, Ohio State sold one message to elite wide receivers:
Come to Columbus. Catch footballs. Become a first-round NFL Draft pick.
Hartline wasn’t simply a receivers coach. He became arguably the greatest wide receiver recruiter in college football, helping sign and develop players like Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate before departing to become South Florida’s head coach after the 2025 season.
Now comes one of the biggest questions facing Ryan Day.
Can Ohio State maintain “Wide Receiver U” without the man who built it?
Arthur Smith Changes the Conversation
Smith wasn’t hired because he recruits better than Hartline.
He was hired because he has something very few college assistants possess:
Years of NFL play-calling experience. Day has said he wanted that experience after Hartline’s departure, continuing a trend of bringing former NFL head coaches into key coordinator roles.
That could alter Ohio State’s recruiting pitch.
Instead of saying…
“Brian Hartline develops first-round receivers.”
The Buckeyes can now say…
“Learn an NFL offense from an NFL head coach and offensive coordinator before you ever enter the NFL Draft.”
Will that matter?
No. 8 Monshun Sales | Wide Receiver on Rivals Top 100 in 2027
Last Five Ohio State WRs Drafted
- 2026 – Carnell Tate, Round 1
- 2025 – Emeka Egbuka, Round 1
- 2024 – Marvin Harrison Jr., Round 1
- 2023 – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Round 1
- 2022 – Chris Olave, Round 1 | Garrett Wilson, Round 1
When Ohio State enters a battle for an elite wide receiver, expectations naturally rise. That’s what happens after producing first-round talents like Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
The Buckeyes are hoping that history still carries weight as they pursue Monshun Sales, the No. 8 overall prospect in the Rivals Industry Rankings. Standing 6-foot-5 and 201 pounds, Sales possesses the size, length and athleticism that have become synonymous with Ohio State’s receiver room.
The challenge is significant.
The Indiana Hoosiers currently owns an 82% prediction to land the in-state standout, while Ohio State sits at 4%. The Buckeyes have overcome long odds before, but they’ll need a strong finish to flip one of the nation’s premier receivers.
Quick Hits
- 8 overall prospect.
- 2 wide receiver nationally.
- Indiana: 82% favorite
- Ohio State: 4%
- Another potential first-round Buckeye receiver.
No. 31 Marcus Fakatou | Defensive Line on Rivals Top 100 in 2027
Last Five Ohio State Defensive Linemen Drafted
- 2026 – Kayden McDonald, Round 2
- 2026 – Caden Curry, Round 6
- 2025 – Tyleik Williams, Round 1
- 2024 – Michael Hall Jr., Round 2
- 2023 – Zach Harrison, Round 3
Every championship contender needs difference-makers along the defensive front, and that’s exactly what Ohio State sees in Marcus Fakatou.
Ranked No. 31 nationally, the 6-foot-7, 275-pound defensive lineman owns one of the highest ceilings in the 2027 class. His combination of length and power makes him one of the premier defensive recruits still available.
The Buckeyes have positioned themselves extremely well.
Ohio State carries a 93% prediction to land Fakatou, while USC sits at just 1%. Winning battles for elite trench players has been a hallmark of Ryan Day’s recruiting success, and Fakatou could become the next cornerstone.
Fakatou at a Glance
- 31 overall prospect.
- Ohio State: 93% favorite
- USC: 1%
- Prototype NFL frame.
- Elite trench priority.
No. 43 Caden Moss | Offensive Tackle on Rivals Top 100 in 2027
Last Five Ohio State Offensive Linemen Drafted
- 2026 – Ethan Onianwa, Round 7
- 2025 – Josh Simmons, Round 1
- 2025 – Donovan Jackson, Round 1
- 2023 – Paris Johnson Jr., Round 1
- 2022 – Nicholas Petit-Frere, Round 3
Great offenses begin with elite offensive linemen, and Ohio State has identified Caden Moss as one of its biggest remaining priorities.
The massive 6-foot-4½, 330-pound lineman is ranked No. 43 nationally, bringing the type of size and physicality that offensive line coaches covet.
Unlike several recruits on this list, this race remains far from over.
Ohio State owns a 55% prediction, but Ole Miss is close behind at 40%, making Moss one of the most competitive recruiting battles remaining for Ryan Day’s staff.
Moss at a Glance
- 43 overall prospect.
- Ohio State: 55%
- Ole Miss: 40%
- Massive 330-pound blocker.
- One of Ohio State’s closest recruiting battles.
No. 91 Monsanna Torbert Jr. | Cornerback on Rivals Top 100 in 2027
Last Five Ohio State Cornerbacks Drafted
- 2026 – Davison Igbinosun, Round 2
- 2025 – Denzel Burke, Round 2
- 2024 – Cameron Brown, Round 6
- 2021 – Shaun Wade, Round 5
- 2020 – Jeff Okudah, Round 1
Keeping elite Ohio talent home has always been a major priority for the Buckeyes.
That’s why Monsanna Torbert Jr., ranked No. 91 nationally, represents much more than another four-star commitment. The former quarterback has developed into one of the Midwest’s premier defensive backs, bringing instincts and ball skills that translate naturally to cornerback.
The rivalry extends beyond the football field.
Ohio State currently holds a 61% prediction to land Torbert, while Michigan sits at 37%, making this one of the most important recruiting battles between the two Big Ten powers.
Torbert at a Glance
- 91 overall prospect.
- Ohio State: 61%
- Michigan: 37%
- Former quarterback turned elite corner.
- In-state recruiting battle with major rivalry implications.
Photo Credit Frank Hyatt/College2Pro.com
