Ohio lineman Maxwell Riley continues to be a priority for Ohio State

Ohio State hosted its most impressive group of visitors of the season on Saturday with the group getting to watch a 20-12 win over Penn State to keep the Buckeyes’ undefeated season alive. The list of visitors boasted a very strong contingent of Class of 2026 Ohio prospects, several of whom hold an early offer from the Buckeyes.

Avon Lake offensive lineman Maxwell Riley was one of those prospects. The Buckeyes offered Riley all the way back in March when he was still a freshman. Another game day visit was a success for one of Ohio’s top sophomores.

“I have nothing but positive things to say about my visit today,” Riley told BuckeyeHuddle.com on Saturday evening. “It was a great day all around.”

Riley spent time with Ohio State offensive line commits, and fellow Northeastern Ohioans Devontae and Deontae Armstrong and says he watched the Ohio State offensive line closely throughout the game.

While college coaches can’t directly call prospects in the 2026 class yet, Riley has made it a point to do everything he can to build a relationship with Buckeyes’ offensive line coach Justin Frye.

“I keep in contact with him,” Riley explained. “I call him every week or two just to check in. He’s a great person and coach. You can tell the players love him and he loves them too, can’t ask for anything more in a coach.”

The conversations with Ohio State at this point aren’t about feeling any pressure to commit or make any decisions, but more so focused on making sure Riley continues to work hard and develop.

“Just continuing to grow,” he said, when asked what the Ohio State staff is telling him. “Not getting complacent with where I’m at right now and to demand more of myself. Finding new things to always improve on.”

Saturday was Riley’s second game day visit to Ohio State this season after making a couple of visits during the off-season. The Buckeyes continue to make a big impression on the Ohio star.

“They always show tremendous hospitality on every visit,” he added.

In addition to Ohio State, Riley has made unofficial visits this fall to Michigan and Penn State.