Top Ohio recruits in the 2026 Rivals Industry Rankings

Ohio continues to produce rock-solid talent, making it one of the premier second-tier states in the high school football world. The 2026 cycle is no different. There are 17 blue-chip prospects in the Buckeye State this cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies. All 17 of those recruits are already committed.

Football season is right around the corner and Friday nights in Ohio will belong to the gridiron soon enough. Below are the top prospects in the state, as well as where they are currently committed, as of Aug. 5:

1. CB Elbert Hill — USC commit

School: Archbishop Hoban
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 35 NATL. (No. 4 CB)

Hill on his decision: “Then what they have to offer him. The ultimate goal is to play on Sundays but it’s life after football with him going into business real estate,” Hill’s father told Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong. “They put us in a room with real estate moguls. Everything aligns. Everything just fits. We got to spend time with some big-time alumni, Real-estate people that are alumni at USC. That was great.”

2. OT Sam Greer — Ohio State commit

School: Archbishop Hoban
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 53 NATL. (No. 7 OT)

Scout’s Take: “After being able to see Sam Greer at the Rivals Five-Star event, we feel more confident about Greer’s ability and development path to the next level. The Archbishop Hoban product came in at 6-foot-6 plus, 315 pounds with over 34-inch arms and has a tremendous frame to play either tackle spot. His build is nearly college-ready and despite having limited reps at the high school level he showed quality footwork and hand usage in pass protection at Rivals Five-Star. He has some polishing to do when it comes to feeling leverage, but should come naturally as he collects more reps. Excited to see a full, healthy senior season from him.”

3. CB Victor Singleton — Texas A&M commit

School: Central Catholic
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 56 NATL. (No. 8 CB)

About: Singleton was at one time committed to Illinois and considered to be one of Bret Bielema’s biggest recruiting wins to date. But not even three full months after he pledged to the Illini, the No. 61 recruit in the Rivals300 flipped to Texas A&M. He is now one of the crown jewels of Mike Elko’s top-10 recruiting class in 2026.

4. LB Cincere Johnson — Ohio State commit

School: Glenville
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 65 NATL. (No. 4 LB)

Johnson on his decision: “Ohio State is a great program that just won a national championship. It’s a program that is based around brotherhood. Watching (Glenville grad) Arvell (Reese) get developed from high school to now shows the time they take to develop people. Ohio State is an amazing program and it’s a major school and in anyone’s eyes that’s undeniable.”

5. RB Shahn Alston — USC commit

School: Harvey
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 100 NATL. (No. 8 RB)

Alston on his decision: “They highlighted the big things I was looking for,” he told Rivals’ Chad Simmons. “They took me to business classes and explained to me that they have one of the top business schools in America. In the meetings, they told me that I’ll be in classes with future CEOs and business owners every single day. They made it more personal. In some of the meetings I had with coaches, they put on my film and asked questions about my family. The visit definitely helped me make my decision.” 

6. TE Brayden Fogle — Georgia commit

School: Lexington
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 119 NATL. (No. 7 TE)

Fogle on UGA: “Everything (stood out),” Fogle told DawgsHQ. “It was a good visit. There are a lot of good people and it was a very good atmosphere and culture… I know a lot about Georgia, so this visit just reinforced a lot of what I already knew about what they want in players and expect out of their players and the standard that Kirby (Smart) has and everyone in that building has for the university and team. It was just a more in-depth look at that from a player’s standpoint.”

7. IOL Max Riley — Ohio State commit

School: Avon Lake
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 148 NATL. (No. 8 IOL)

Riley on his decision: “I think there is a lot of opportunity at Ohio State in more aspects than football,” he told Lettermen Row. “You can have an impact on people for the better because you’re an Ohio State football player. I don’t think there’s been a better time to be a Buckeye.”

8. S Jakob Weatherspoon — North Carolina commit

School: Avon
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 176 NATL. (No. 17 S)

About: Originally pledged to Ohio State for over half a year, Weatherspoon surprised everyone by flipping to North Carolina on July 16. He’s now one of the top commits in the fold for new head coach Bill Belichick and the staff in Chapel Hill. Weatherspoon won a state championship with Avon in 2024 and is poised to make his mark as one of, if not the top defensive player in the Buckeye State this fall. Ohio State was recruiting Weatherspoon as a cornerback.

9. RB Favour Akih — Ohio State commit

School: Hayes
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 212 NATL. (No. 18 RB)

Akih on his decision: “Staying home was the biggest selling factor for me with Ohio State,” Akih told Rivals’ Chad Simmons. “Every single day at school, I see at least three people wearing Ohio State gear, so I know it was bigger than football. Being able to showcase my talent on the big stage, in my hometown, and represent Delaware was huge for me in this decision. I live really close to the stadium, so my parents will be able to get to all my games too.”

10. OT Adam Guthrie — Clemson commit

School: Miami Trace
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 236 NATL. (No. 20 OT)

Guthrie on his decision: “I loved it all,” Guthrie told Rivals about his time on campus. “From the stadium, to the people, the facilities, the way they carry themselves, and how much Clemson fans love their team.”

Other blue-chip prospects in Ohio this cycle

11. QB Matt Ponatoski — Kentucky commit
12. WR Jaeden Ricketts — Ohio State commit
13. LB CJ Sanna — Ohio State commit
14. OT Ben Congdon — Miami commit
15. WR Milan Parris — Iowa State commit
16. LB Storm Miller — Ohio State commit
17. ATH Cam Thomas — Illinois commit