Jakob Weatherspoon, 2026 4-star ATH, commits to Ohio State Buckeyes

A day after walloping No. 1 Oregon in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal game, Ohio State has added to its 2026 recruiting class with a blue-chip in-state prospect.

Avon (Ohio) four-star athlete Jakob Weatherspoon has committed to the Buckeyes, per On3’s Hayes Fawcett. He chose Ohio State over Penn State, Oregon and Notre Dame. Weatherspoon has visited Ohio State more than any other school, but also took multiple trips to Penn State, Michigan and Notre Dame.

The fourth recruit to commit to Ohio State early on in the 2026 cycle, Weatherspoon is fresh off of a perfect 16-0 state championship season with the Avon Eagles and first-team All-Ohio honors.

Weatherspoon is the nation’s No. 157 overall prospect in the 2026 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking — a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.  He is the No. 9 athlete in the class and the No. 7 recruit from the Buckeye State.

Recruited by Ohio State as a defensive back, Weatherspoon has demonstrated blistering speed on the track as a district qualifier in the 200-meter dash.

The addition of Weatherspoon moves Ohio State up to No. 8 in the 2026 On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings with a long way to go until National Signing Day. Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei five-star wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. is the No. 5 overall prospect and No. 1 receiver in the cycle. The Buckeyes have also added commitments from three-star tight end Corbyn Fordham and three-star WR Jaeden Ricketts.