Ohio State trending for 2025 4-star EDGE Justin Hill

Ohio State’s early recruiting efforts have landed the Buckeyes a terrific start to the 2025 cycle.

In the past week, Ryan Day and Co. have landed a pair of blue-chip commitments. Last weekend, Houston North Shore five-star cornerback Devin Sanchez picked the Buckeyes. On Wednesday, Philadelphia Imhotep four-star EDGE Zahir Mathis did the same.

Cincinnati Winton Woods four-star EDGE Justin Hill could be the next to join the fold in Columbus, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder has labeled the in-state juggernaut as his “dream school” and has already taken a trio of visits. He’s likely to return in February as signs continue to point toward the Buckeyes. Ohio State insiders Matt Parker and Alex Gleitman have each logged RPM picks in favor of Hill choosing OSU.

On Jan. 1, Hill announced a top 10 of Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan, Oregon, Miami, USC, Alabama, Georgia, Cincinnati, and Kentucky. While other programs aren’t letting up in their pursuit, overtaking OSU as the frontrunner for Hill may prove challenging.

“I like their defense and the way coach Jim Knowles implements in,” Hill told On3’s Chad Simmons last summer. “He’s recruited me for the ‘Leo’ position. He hasn’t really implemented yet so I want to see that get played and how it looks on their defense.

“Coach Day’s my guy and someone that’s genuine and cares about people. He wants you to be your best you and with the mental health side of things, he cares about that and being a great physical football player.”

Hill is the No. 167 overall prospect and No. 13 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. 7 player in Ohio.

On3 ranks Hill higher than other recruiting services. He checks in as the No. 127 recruit, No. 7 EDGE and No. 6 player in Ohio in the 2025 On300.

Buckeyes making early charge for top class in 2025

Ohio State signed 20 prospects during the 2024 Early Signing Period back in December — including Five-Star Plus+ WR Jeremiah Smith, the No. 1 overall prospect. The class ranks No. 5 in the nation, continuing the high standard of recruiting in Columbus.

The current crop of 2025 commits is now headlined by Sanchez, but also includes Mathis and another pair of top-100 recruits. Bellefontaine (Ohio) four-star quarterback Tavien St. Clair has skyrocketed up the On3 Industry Ranking and is now the No. 19 prospect and No. 3 signal-caller, as of Jan. 9.

He pledged last June and has since been joined by Baltimore St. Frances Academy four-star CB Blake Woodby, the No. 69 overall recruit and No. 8 CB in the cycle. Cocoa (Fla.) four-star WR Jayvan Boggs and Akron (Ohio) Archbishop Hoban three-star linebacker Eli Lee round out a terrific start to the OSU 2025 class.

Ohio State is also currently trending for Conroe (Texas) four-star CB Dorian Brew, No. 21 overall prospect and No. 3 CB. He included the Buckeyes in his top five on Wednesday and is set to announce his commitment later this month on Jan. 24.