Top 25 high school football players in Ohio

The state of Ohio has owned a rich football history for over a century. The first NFL game, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the ‘Cradle of Coaches’ and one of history’s best college football programs all call the Buckeye State home.

It’s also a hotbed for high school football talent. This season is set to feature multiple top-100 prospects across the 2025 and 2026 recruiting classes.

Below are the top 25 football players in the state of Ohio, based on the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

1. QB Tavien St. Clair — 98.96

School: Bellefontaine

Ohio State has its quarterback for the 2025 cycle, and he comes from just northwest of Columbus in Bellefontaine. St. Clair passed for 3,083 yards and 37 touchdowns, leading the Chieftains to an 11-3 record and a Division III regional final appearance. He is a Five-Star Plus+ prospect ranked No. 2 overall in the 2025 On3 Industry Ranking.

2. S Trey McNutt — 96.83

School: Shaker Heights

The son of an Ohio State national champion, Trey McNutt chose to go outside of Ohio for college and committed to Oregon on Aug. 3. At Shaker Heights last season, McNutt finished with 61 tackles, three tackles for loss, 12 pass breakups and two forced fumbles. On the offensive side of the ball, McNutt racked up 611 yards and 12 touchdowns.

3. (2026) CB Elbert Hill — 94.89

School: Archbishop Hoban

Elbert Hill was a Division II first-team All-Ohio pick as a sophomore as Archbishop Hoban reached the state championship game, losing to Massillon Washington. Hill accounted for seven interceptions on the season and recorded four pass breakups in the game against Washington. Hill ranks No. 15 overall and top among all cornerbacks nationwide in the 2026 class.

4. OT Carter Lowe — 94.73

School: Toledo Whitmer

Carter Lowe is staying home to play for Ohio State. He committed to the Buckeyes on Jan. 27 and is one of two offensive linemen pledged to the Scarlet and Gray in the senior class. Toledo Whitmer went 7-4 last season, dropping the opening round of the postseason to Perrysburg. Lowe stands at 6-foot-5, 285 pounds and is the No. 48 overall recruit and No. 6 offensive tackle in the 2025 class.

5. EDGE Justin Hill — 94.56

School: Winton Woods

Justin Hill chose Alabama over Ohio State on July 3 and is one of the Tide’s highest-rated commits as the No. 52 prospect in America. During his junior season at Winton Woods, Hill recorded 36 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, and two forced fumbles.

6. ATH Bo Jackson — 93.53

School: Villa Angla-St. Joseph

Bo Jackson leads the way for a talented Villa Angela-St. Joseph squad in 2024 after tallying 1,700 total yards and 28 touchdowns in his junior campaign. The Vikings went 9-4 last season with a postseason loss to Youngstown Ursuline. Jackson, graded as an athlete, is Ohio State’s lead running back target in the 2025 cycle. He committed to the Buckeyes on June 4.

7. QB Ryan Montgomery — 92.94

School: Findlay

After narrowing down his commitment to Florida, South Carolina and Georgia, Ryan Montgomery chose the ‘Dawgs on April 17. Now heading into his senior season at Findlay, the Trojans will look to improve upon an 8-3 season that ended with a heartbreaking 36-35 loss to Olentangy Liberty. Along the way, Montgomery passed for 3,377 yards and 38 touchdowns.

8. (2026) IOL Max Riley — 92.86

School: Avon Lake

One of the top offensive linemen in the junior class, Max Riley ranks No. 56 overall and No. 5 among interior offensive linemen in the 2026 cycle. Last year, Avon Lake finished 7-5 with a 59-14 playoff loss to Anthony Wayne. The Shoremen will look to improve this season, as they open on Aug. 23 against Strongsville.

9. CB Dawayne Galloway — 92.58

School: Walnut Ridge

At Marion-Franklin in 2023, Galloway recorded five interceptions — including a pick six. This year, he joins Walnut Ridge who is coming off of a tough 3-10 season. The Scots made it to the Division II playoffs, where they were shut out 26-0 by Canal Winchester. Galloway committed to Purdue on July 5.

10. EDGE Cedric Works — 92.18

School: Northmont

Northmont went 7-5 in 2023 and lost in a nailbiter to Harrison in the second round of the Division II playoffs. Cedric Works was stout along the defensive line, tallying 82 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks for the Thunderbolts. Works committed to Kentucky on June 27.

11. RB Marquise Davis — 91.95 (Cleveland Heights)
12. (2026) LB Cincere Johnson — 91.78 (Glenville)
13. (2026) CB Victor Singleton — 91.68 (Toledo Central Catholic)
14. (2026) RB Shahn Alston — 91.54 (Harvey)
15. (2026) OT Sam Greer — 91.16 (Archbishop Hoban)

16. (2026) ATH Jakob Weatherspoon — 90.25 (Avon)
17. TE Luka Gilbert — 90.13 (Lakota West)
18. (2026) ATH Cam Thomas — 89.88 (Lakota West)
19. LB Dante McClellan — 89.86 (Canton McKinley)
20. (2026) OT Adam Guthrie — 89.71 (Miami Trace)

21. TE Brody Lennon — 89.67 (Gilmour Academy)
22. CB Jaimier Scott — 89.56 (Mt. Healthy)
23. WR Quintin Simmons — 89.48 (Cincinnati Withrow)
24. (2026) WR Payton Cook — 89.41 (Archbishop Hoban)
25. (2026) IOL Will Conroy — 89.30 (St. Ignatius)