Ohio State trending with Top 100 running back Jordon Davison

Ohio State is in the market for a pair of running backs in the 2025 recruiting class, and the Buckeyes have their eyes set on a handful of prospects to fill those spots.

After hiring Oregon RBs coach Carlos Locklyn to replace Tony Alford — who left for rival Michigan — OSU is in a strong position with one of those players on the list.

Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei four-star running back Jordon Davison was high on the Buckeyes prior to Locklyn’s arrival, but with him in the fold they appear to be the team to beat. On Monday, On3’s Steve Wiltfong placed a pick in the Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) for OSU to land Davison.

“Davidson visited Ohio State last week, and the Buckeyes are trending in this recruitment,” Wiltfong wrote in explaining his pick. “I believe the Buckeyes lead for Davison, and I have now entered an expert pick on the RPM for Ohio State to land the talented back. Once OSU names a running backs coach, things could really pick up between the two parties.

…Alabama, Colorado, Michigan Oregon, Texas and Texas A&M are some of the other contenders for the 5-foot-11, 220-pound Davison. I think they’re all chasing Ohio State right now though.”

More on Buckeyes recruiting

It was a successful weekend for Ohio State on the recruiting trail. The Buckeyes picked up four recruits in Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy London Merritt, Port Saint Lucie (Fla.) Vero Beach four-star linebacker Tarvos Alford, Wayne (N.J.) DePaul Catholic four-star wide receiver De’zie Jones and his high school teammate and safety DeShawn Stewart.

“I’m big on tradition,” Alford told On3. “It’s a college town and I want to be in a college town and get that college atmosphere. There is a lot of history at Ohio State and people leave a legacy. I feel like if you go there, you are on the verge of making history and your name will be written in the history books for college football.” 

The four-star was impressed by James Laurinaitis’ success while playing college football at Ohio State. The coaching style of the Buckeyes’ assistant also intrigues him.

“I like how he talks to people,” Alford said. “He is young enough to relate to younger recruits, but he is also old enough and been through things to relate to their parents… Coach Laurinaitis can do both. He makes everybody feel comfortable and feel the love.”