Coveted 4-star EDGE Zion Grady visits Ohio State
Ohio State is hosting one of the best prospects out of Alabama in the 2025 cycle this weekend.
The Buckeyes have Troy (Ala.) Enterprise four-star EDGE and former Alabama commit Zion Grady in Columbus, as Ryan Day and Co. look to insert their program into the thick of things with the 6-foot-4, 225-pounder.
Miami, Florida State, Auburn, Tennessee and Georgia have all locked in official visits with Grady thus far. Ohio State is known for making a major impression on recruits when they make it to campus, and it’ll hope that’s the case with Grady this weekend.
“I know they develop my position very well,” Grady told On3 of OSU earlier this year. “Coach Johnson has a history. That is what has my attention.”
Miami is currently trending for Grady, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM). He was back in Coral Gables last month and has also recently returned to Auburn and Tennessee. Grady told Auburn Live on April 19 that he was eyeing a decision this summer.
“Tennessee visit was great,” Grady told On3 last month. “I think the biggest take away is the attention they place on player development on and off the field. They also put the edges in a position to be successful.”
Grady is the No. 65 overall prospect and No. 9 EDGE in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 5 player in Alabama.
Ohio State Class Breakdown
Early in the 2025 cycle, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and his staff have gotten busy. Of OSU’s 13 commitments, nine are on that side of the ball and five are in the secondary. Ohio State holds commitments from the nation’s top two cornerback recruits — Five-Star Plus+ CB Na’eem Offord and five-star corner Devin Sanchez.
Their class also includes top-75 EDGE Zahir Mathis, top-70 cornerback Blake Woodby, four-star EDGE London Merritt, four-star linebacker Tarvos Alford, four-star cornerback DeShawn Stewart and in-state standout linebacker Eli Lee.
On the offensive side, OSU has already locked up its quarterback in the class with elite passer Tavien St. Clair, who ranks No. 2 nationally at the position in the On300. He’s joined by Toledo (Ohio) Whitmer four-star offensive tackle Carter Lowe, and four-star wide receiver De’zie Jones.
The Buckeyes picked up Washington (Okla.) four-star tight end Nate Roberts just ahead of kickoff for its 2024 spring game on April 13 and also landed a pledge from Cleveland St. Ignatius three-star safety Cody Haddad.