Signed: Buckeyes stave off late flip attempts from Auburn, Zion Grady signs with Ohio State
The Early-Signing Period is here and Ohio State is set to once again bring in one of the country’s best recruiting classes. Lettermen Row is tracking the Buckeyes recruiting news throughout the signing period as 2025 commitments officially join the Ohio State football program. The latest Letter of Intent is in: Zion Grady has signed with the Buckeyes.
COLUMBUS — Defensive end recruiting was somewhat of a struggle for Ohio State in the 2025 class but the Buckeyes were to keep their highest-ranked commitment in the class. Four-star EDGE Zion Grady has signed his Letter of Intent to Ohio State and is officially a Buckeye.
What does it mean for the Buckeyes? Let’s check it out.
Who is Zion Grady?
Zion Grady is a four-star EDGE from Troy, Alabama. He attended Enterprise High School. He committed to the Buckeyes on June 24, 2024 over Auburn, Florida State, Tennessee and Miami. Grady was one of the biggest recruiting wins for the Buckeyes this summer and he never wavered on his commitment to Ohio State.
On3 Industry Rankings: No. 91 overall, No. 9 EDGE, No. 7 in Alabama
On3 Ranking: No. 177 overall, No. 18 EDGE, No. 7 in Alabama
Hometown: Troy, Alabama
High School: Enterprise
Zion Grady has the potential to play early at Ohio State. Grady is one of the most physically ready pass rushers in the 2025 class. He consistently produced at one of the highest classifications of Alabama high school football for four years. Grady is also an impressive dual-sport athlete that played basketball and soccer at different times in his high school career.
Grady is the only EDGE commitment for Ohio State this cycle. The Buckeyes lost two EDGE commitments in November but were able to keep Grady in the class.
How did Grady end up at Ohio State?
The Buckeyes pursuit of Grady was somewhat short but they were still able to land the Alabama native. Ohio State offered Grady on Feb. 5 less than three weeks after he decommitted from Alabama following Nick Saban’s retirement. He then made a multi-day trip to Columbus from May 3-5.
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It was Grady’s official visit to Ohio State that sealed the deal, however. He took official visits to Auburn, Florida State, Tennessee and Miami in the first few weeks of June before returning to Columbus for his official visit the weekend of June 21. He announced his commitment to the Buckeyes the Monday after his visit.
“They’re a really good program,” Grady told On3. “They showed me everything that will help me outside of football. They’re very detailed and that really helped me make my decision. Ohio State has everything that I am looking for.”
Grady will be an early enrollee and on campus in January after playing in the Navy All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas on Jan. 11.
