Local back Kentrell Rinehart seeing his recruitment take off

The state of Ohio is loaded with talented running backs in the 2025 class and Columbus Bishop Ready standout Kentrell Rinehart is one of the best. Rinehart has led his Silver Knights team to a 10-1 record so far and has been among the state’s top rushers all season long.

There have been games, like a recent one against Columbus Academy, where Rinehart has carried the ball more than 40 times, proving to be one of the state’s most durable backs.

“You definitely get tired but you’ve just got to be resilient and fight through it,” Rinehart told BuckeyeHuddle.com recently. “Get your team the win and play for your seniors.”

With the gaudy numbers this season, Rinehart has seen his recruiting stock soar. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound prospect now holds double digit scholarship offers.

“I’m taking it day by day just like anybody else would, but it’s definitely exciting,” he said. “It has been a humbling experience as well.”

Rinehart enters Friday night’s playoff game with 2,696 yards rushing on the season and 42 touchdowns. Those numbers have caught the attention of the Ohio State coaching staff who recently invited him to visit for the Maryland game. Rinehart has been impressed with what he has seen from the Buckeye running backs.

“They definitely have a great running back (room),” Rinehart stated. “I really like the running backs coach, Tony Alford, as well. I just have to keep improving and working on my craft.”

Ohio State has some tough decisions to make in regards to 2025 running back recruiting. In addition to the bumper crop in Ohio, the Buckeyes are also in on some big names from out-of-state, but they let Rinehart know that they’ll continue to evaluate him and to not be a stranger around campus.

“They want me to keep visiting and they want to come to some camps (in June),” he explained. “(Alford) wants to evaluate me more.”

“It’s definitely exciting,” he continued. “Coming from where I come from, it’s rare, so it’s definitely exciting to be recruited by Ohio State.”

Rinehart will make an unofficial visit this weekend to Michigan for the Purdue game.