There continues to be plenty of recruiting news coming out of Ohio State’s big visit weekend. The 2025 class continues to take shape with some big decisions upcoming. In today’s notebook, we’re taking a look at three key targets in the 2025 recruiting class.
Buckeyes Make Priority Linebacker Target Feel at Home
One of the biggest recruiting the battles the Buckeyes are going to wage in the 2025 cycle will involve Vero Beach (FL) linebacker Tarvos ‘TJ’ Alford. The Top 100 prospect has been to Ohio State multiple times now, most recently for Saturday night’s win over Michigan State.
“The visit was great,” Alford told BuckeyeHuddle.com. “The environment really stood out, it felt like home.”
Ohio State and Florida are potentially the top contenders for Alford’s services at this point, but Florida State, Georgia, and many other powerhouse programs continue to recruit the four-star prospect at a high level.
Getting an up close look at the revamped Ohio State defense was also a highlight of Alford’s latest trip to Columbus.
“They are playing great,” he added. “They really run to the ball.”
Alford’s relationship with James Laurinaitis has been a big factor for Ohio State’s strong positioning in this recruitment and it will be interesting to see if that can win the day over geography.
Another 2025 Target Announcing At The All-American Bowl
Ohio State could be getting news on five-star class of 2025 cornerback Devin Sanchez when he announces his college decision at the All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas on January 6th.
Now another 2025 target has made it known that he’ll be announcing his decision that day as well. Chicago (IL) Simeon defensive end Christopher Burgess is one of the Buckeyes’ top defensive line targets so far in the 2025 cycle and he’ll be coming off the board the same day as Sanchez, he announced on Twitter today.
Burgess has kept a pretty low profile during his recruiting process and doesn’t say much on social media either, so it has been a fairly quiet recruitment. Ohio State is in the mix, as is Notre Dame, as are Alabama and Michigan and many others.
Notre Dame looks like the team to beat here, however, with about two months before the announcement is made.
Major Tight End Target Set to Trim List
Staying in the class of 2025, Georgia product Emaree Winston has been a top priority for Keenan Bailey and the Buckeyes at the tight end position. Winston is a unique prospect who doesn’t fit the traditional tight end mold. He can line up in the backfield and carry the ball and he is a tremendous weapon in the passing game at only about 6-foot-2.
With that in mind, Ohio State hasn’t been recruiting him as a traditional tight end, but more for the H-Back type of role that Mitch Rossi used to occupy. Winston brings more athleticism to the table than Rossi and would be a big piece of the puzzle for the Ohio State offense if they can land him.
Coming out of this weekend’s visit to Columbus, Winston is ready to release his list of finalists on November 21st. It will be three schools, and the smart money is that Ohio State and Texas will be among the final trio.
‘Old School’ Julian Sayin Driven From A Very Young Age
Three Recruiting Questions for Ohio State as Spring Evaluation Period Heats Up
Ohio State Could Challenge NFL Draft Record In 2025
Buckeye Tight End Cade Stover Selected In Fourth Round By Houston Texans
Spring Recap: Buckeyes Showcased Depth, Talent At Cornerback
Ohio State Could Challenge NFL Draft Record In 2025
Buckeye Safety Josh Proctor Signing Free Agent Deal With Jacksonville
Matt Jones Signs Deal With Miami Dolphins