Buckeyes Making a Big Push for Top 50 Defensive End Zion Grady

ENTERPRISE, Ala. — Ohio State has been more active in the state of Alabama in the 2025 class than in any class in recent memory and the Buckeyes are hoping that it pays dividends. Recently, Ohio State was able to get Top 100 Enterprise defensive end Zion Grady on campus and the Buckeyes impressed the four-star prospect.

“Really just how they develop defensive ends,” Grady explained on what stood out to him about the visit. “And it’s just a beautiful place up there.”

Coming from the southern part of Alabama to the Midwest is a pretty big shift but there were a couple of things about Ohio State that were pleasant surprises to Grady on his recent visit.

“Really just the atmosphere up there is a lot different,” he said. “The stadium is a lot bigger, one of the biggest stadiums I’ve seen.”

Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson has taken the lead in Grady’s recruitment and has also made a good impression over the last few months.

“He’s a very good person, very chill,” Grady said. “He’s just trying to get me to come be a Buckeye.”

Grady will be back on campus for an official visit on June 21st, the same weekend as fellow Alabama natives Na’eem Offord and Malik Autry. Grady got to see a lot of things on his recent unofficial but wants to spend time around the team on his next trip.

“I really just want to see the team,” he said. “The team wasn’t really there when I was there (on the unofficial visit). So just want to see how they get acclimated and get used to things.”

Hear more from Grady on his recruiting process in our one-on-one interview from our Southern Swing recruiting tour.