Chip Kelly Brings Instant Credibility to Quarterback Recruits

The role of quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator on the Ohio State staff has been a whirlwind past month, but the Buckeyes ultimately stabilized things last week by signing UCLA head coach Chip Kelly to a three-year contract.

Kelly has a reputation for building explosive offenses and a diverse running game and the Buckeyes being able to pull him away from a head coaching position at a now conference rival surprised many around the nation.

The hire also was noticed by recruits, particularly at the quarterback position. Ohio State has its man in the 2025 class in Bellefontaine (Ohio) star Tavien St. Clair, which gives the Buckeyes some time to thoroughly evaluate the next quarterback they land. The 2026 class has several big-time options with a few weighing in on the Kelly hire.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for Ohio State to take a guy like him,” said Top 100 recruit Will Griffin, who holds an early Ohio State offer. “He’s been all over the place, so he knows ball. I’m excited to meet him.”

Another intriguing class of 2026 target from the state of Florida, Lake Mary standout Noah Grubbs also took the news positively.

“I think it shows that Ohio State is really trying to build a program,” Grubbs said. “Just going from being a head coach to being their OC, it’s really going to show who they are next season. I think they are going to be really good next season.”

Then there is the nation’s top-ranked signal caller Jared Curtis. After visit plans with Ohio State were put off in January due to the transition on the OSU offensive staff, Curtis has recently backed off making a decision in the near future. That should only help Ohio State as the Buckeyes look to reconnect with Curtis who says he now plans to visit this spring.

“I can’t wait to get to meet him,” Curtis told BuckeyeHuddle.com recently. “I don’t know him but I’m looking forward to getting to know more when I go up there for spring ball.”

This spring and summer will be crunch time in the race to find a top level quarterback in the 2026 class and Kelly’s hire has brought an added credibility to the future of the Ohio State offense.