Ohio State has gotten the better of the Oregon Ducks both on the field and in recruiting recently. The Buckeyes had Chris Henry Jr. shut down his recruitment, despite heavy interest from Oregon, and also landed four-star wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, who chose Ohio State over the Ducks.

However, Dan Lanning and his staff have now secured a major win on the recruiting trail — one that could have significantly benefited Ohio State’s defense.

Ohio State was among the finalists for Sierra Canyon (CA) EDGE Richard Wesley, but the highly touted prospect ultimately chose Oregon over the Buckeyes, Texas, and Texas A&M. Wesley is ranked as the No. 20 overall prospect in the 2026 class and the No. 3 EDGE, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

Larry Johnson’s unit could have used a five-star pass rusher like Wesley. Losing him to Oregon — a team set to become a major force in the Big Ten — is a tough blow for the Buckeyes. While Ohio State has 12 commitments in their No. 3-ranked recruiting class, they have yet to add a pass rusher. The addition of Beau Atkinson via the transfer portal from North Carolina was significant, especially since he has two years of eligibility remaining.

Ohio State continues to recruit five-star EDGE Carter Meadows and several other pass-rushing prospects. After losing Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau to the NFL, the Buckeyes could also see Caden Curry and Kenyatta Jackson depart after this season. Securing at least a couple of top-tier edge rushers in this class is crucial.

It won’t be Wesley — and judging by his commitment video, he looked thrilled to be heading to Oregon.

The Ohio State Buckeyes’ disappointment in missing out on an elite defensive target is a significant setback for their recruiting efforts, especially considering the player’s commitment to a rival program, which amplifies the hurt for Buckeyes fans and coaches alike. This loss underscores the highly competitive nature of college football recruiting, where securing top talent is crucial for maintaining a team’s dominance and future success. The defensive target, likely a highly-rated athlete with the potential to impact the field immediately, would have bolstered Ohio State’s already formidable roster and provided strategic advantages. His decision to commit elsewhere not only deprives Ohio State of a key player but also signals the ongoing recruitment battles that define college football, where programs like Alabama, Georgia, and Clemson continually vie for the nation’s best prospects. For Ohio State, this setback may necessitate reevaluating their recruiting strategy, focusing on developing other talented players, and maintaining their competitive edge through coaching and player development. While disappointing, it’s also a reminder of the volatile and unpredictable nature of recruiting, where every commitment can shift the landscape of college football, and teams must adapt swiftly to stay at the top. Ultimately, missing out on this defensive target is more than just a loss of talent; it’s a rallying point for Ohio State to reaffirm their commitment to excellence and to reinforce their presence in the recruitment wars for future elite prospects.

The impact of this recruitment miss extends beyond just the immediate roster implications; it also affects the program’s perception among future recruits and their families. When top-tier athletes see a program losing out on key targets, it can create a perception of vulnerability or instability, which rivals can exploit to lure other talented players. Ohio State, known for its strong recruiting classes, must now work even harder to demonstrate its continued competitiveness and appeal to the best prospects. Moreover, this loss could serve as a catalyst for the coaching staff to identify new potential tarwing that even if they don’t land every top target, Ohio State has a proven track record of nurturing talent into Ngets and to refine their recruitment approach, emphasizing relationships, facilities, and the program’s overall vision for player development. It also highlights the importance of player development within the program—shoFL-caliber players, which remains a powerful draw. Though this particular setback is painful, it also provides an opportunity for resilience and growth, reinforcing the need for Ohio State to stay aggressive and innovative in their recruitment efforts, ensuring they remain a perennial contender in college football’s highly competitive landscape.