Ohio State's 2027 recruiting class is on the verge of achieving something remarkable that hasn't been seen in years! The Buckeyes are positioning themselves to land elite offensive linemen from outside their home state, a feat that has been surprisingly rare in recent recruiting cycles.
The Foundation is Set: With three offensive linemen already committed for the 2027 class – Kellen Wymer, Mason Wilt, and Brody McNeel – Ohio State has built a solid base. This allows them to aggressively pursue some of the nation's most highly-touted prospects.
Enter the Stars: The spotlight now shines on five-star offensive lineman Maxwell Hiller and fellow five-star tackle Mark Matthews. Hiller, ranked as the No. 10 overall prospect and the No. 1 interior lineman in the 2027 class, has already placed Ohio State in his top four. Matthews, from a powerhouse program, is considered the No. 2 overall player and the No. 1 offensive tackle. Landing either of these players would be a monumental recruiting victory for the Buckeyes.
A Look Back at Recent Recruiting: For context, let's examine Ohio State's recent offensive line recruiting. In the 2026 class, under the guidance of new line coach Tyler Bowen, they secured five linemen. The highest-rated among them was Sam Greer, a tackle who finished as the No. 52 overall prospect. The rest of the 2026 class was heavily weighted towards in-state talent, with only one player, Tucker Smith, hailing from outside Ohio.
The Out-of-State Trend: This trend of prioritizing in-state talent has been consistent. In 2025, the top out-of-state offensive lineman signee was Jayvon McFadden at No. 391 overall. Looking further back, Ian Moore (No. 168 overall in 2024), Miles Walker (No. 501 overall in 2023), and Carson Hinzman (No. 177 overall in 2022) represent the highest-rated out-of-state offensive line recruits in their respective classes. The last truly elite, top 100, five-star offensive lineman to commit to Ohio State from out-of-state was Donovan Jackson, who was the No. 19 overall prospect and No. 1 tackle in his class and a key contributor to a national championship team.
But here's where it gets interesting... While it's generally true that offensive linemen tend to stay closer to home, the current situation with the 2027 class presents a unique opportunity. With the core of the offensive line recruiting class already secured, Coach Bowen and the Buckeyes can now cast a wider net and target the absolute best players, regardless of their home state.
The Significance of a Star Recruit: Even securing just one of these highly-rated out-of-state prospects, like Hiller or Matthews, would be a massive statement. It signals a shift in Ohio State's recruiting strategy and could significantly impact the perception of their recruiting operation. Adding a player of this caliber, who could potentially be a freshman starter, could provide immediate dividends for the team, especially with significant turnover expected on the offensive line in the coming seasons.
The Roadblocks and the Resolve: Of course, Ohio State has had its share of near misses with highly-touted out-of-state offensive linemen in the past, with players like David Sanders Jr., Jackson Cantwell, and Felix Ojo choosing other programs. However, this hasn't deterred the Buckeyes from making their strongest efforts to land top talent.
And this is the part most people miss... With a veteran offensive line expected to return in 2026, the team will likely see substantial changes for the 2027 season. The addition of a freshman starter at this crucial position could be a game-changer for the Buckeyes' long-term success.
What do you think? Is Ohio State's current recruiting momentum enough to finally break the trend of prioritizing in-state offensive linemen and land a top-tier out-of-state talent? Or will history repeat itself? Share your thoughts in the comments below – we'd love to hear your take!
