Relationships Key For Top 2026 TE With Buckeyes

JACKSONVILLE – The Buckeyes continue to hammer the state of Florida when it comes to recruiting and class of 2026 tight end Corbyn Fordham is a priority target for Keenan Bailey and the Buckeyes.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder is a national consensus four-star recruit and already has cleared 20 offers, including ones from some of the bigger programs in the nation, Ohio State included.

With the Buckeyes losing Gee Scott and potentially Will Kacmarek at the end of the 2024 season, this is shaping up to be an important cycle of recruiting for tight ends and Fordham would be a huge get if the Buckeyes are able to secure the commitment.

Fordham had a chance to check out the Buckeyes in the spring and take in just what it would be like to be part of the Ohio State team, if that ends up being the decision.

“It was great to see how physical and chippy they get,” Fordham said. “I love that. I love the scrappiness they bring and, yeah, they fight a little, but that’s part of football.”

The talented tight end won’t have to wait long to check out Ohio State for a return trip.

“I know I’ll be back to Ohio State on June 6, and then I’ll be visiting some other places,” Fordham said.

Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Ole Miss and South Carolina have also been involved early in this one.

The relationship with coach Bailey at Ohio State may give the Buckeyes a leg up. It is easy to forget that Bailey is only going into his second season as a full-time position coach at Ohio State. He certainly is not new to the program, starting as an offensive intern in 2016 and just working his way up the ladder.

“He’s getting a pretty good reputation as a recruiter,” Fordham said.

Bailey will have his work cut out here with Fordham being a true national recruit, but the 2026 star is saying all the right things.

“He’s a coach that I could see myself wanting to play up under,” Fordham added. “He’s, like a father, he’s a great coach.”

Find out more about one of Ohio State’s top 2026 tight ends in this exclusive video interview from our annual Southern Swing tour and don’t miss a single update here at BuckeyeHuddle.com.