Ohio State 247Sports football insider destroyed by fans after Ryan Day misses out on 2026 priority CB recruit

The world of college football recruiting is a volatile one, filled with highs and lows, as well as passionate fan bases who expect nothing less than the best for their programs. When a team misses out on a highly coveted recruit, the reverberations are often felt far and wide—especially when that recruit is considered a “priority” for the team. Such was the case when Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes football program recently missed out on one of their top targets for the 2026 recruiting class: cornerback (CB) recruit Javon Thomas, who ultimately committed to Alabama.

The chain of events that led to the Buckeyes’ failure to land Thomas was not only disappointing for the coaching staff but also caused a significant uproar within Ohio State’s loyal fan base. To make matters worse, a prominent 247Sports insider who had been vocal in his optimism about Ohio State’s chances of securing Thomas found himself at the center of a storm. The backlash from the fans was swift and severe, with many criticizing both the insider’s reports and the team’s overall recruiting strategy. In this article, we will dive into the reasons why Ryan Day and Ohio State’s miss on Thomas stung so much, the backlash faced by the 247Sports insider, and what this means for the future of Ohio State football recruiting.

The Javon Thomas Recruitment Saga

To understand why missing out on Javon Thomas was such a blow to Ohio State, we need to look at the player and his importance in the 2026 recruiting cycle. Thomas, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound cornerback from St. Louis, Missouri, is considered one of the most elite prospects in the 2026 class. His combination of size, athleticism, and ball skills made him a coveted commodity for virtually every major program in the country. His ability to shut down wide receivers, along with his smooth transitions and awareness in coverage, put him on the radar of every Power Five conference team.

What set Thomas apart from many of his peers was not just his physical tools but his intelligence on the field. His ability to read opposing quarterbacks, anticipate routes, and react quickly to changing circumstances made him a lock for any program looking to strengthen its defensive backfield. For Ohio State, whose defensive backs coach Tim Walton had already begun cultivating a top-tier secondary, landing a player like Thomas would have been a huge feather in the cap. He was considered by many to be the centerpiece of Ohio State’s defensive recruiting strategy for the class of 2026.

From the outset, Ryan Day and the Ohio State coaching staff made it clear that they were heavily pursuing Thomas. The Buckeyes already had a strong reputation for developing elite cornerbacks, and the idea of pairing Thomas with other future stars like Desmond Ricks and Kye Stokes in the secondary had fans excited about the program’s prospects in the years to come. As Ohio State worked tirelessly to develop a relationship with Thomas and his family, many recruiting insiders—especially those associated with 247Sports—believed that the Buckeyes were the favorites to land the talented corner.

However, despite the enthusiasm surrounding Thomas’ recruitment and Ohio State’s status as the front-runner, a surprise announcement came when Thomas chose to commit to Alabama in early February 2025. Alabama, known for its longstanding dominance in both recruiting and developing defensive talent, proved to be a major obstacle that the Buckeyes couldn’t overcome.

This sudden turn of events left Ohio State fans and the coaching staff reeling, especially because so many believed Thomas was destined to wear Scarlet and Gray. His commitment to Alabama not only stunned the fanbase but also sent ripples throughout the recruiting world, as many wondered what had gone wrong for Ohio State, especially considering how much time and energy the program had invested in securing Thomas’ commitment.

The Backlash Against 247Sports Insider

With the shocking news of Thomas’ commitment to Alabama, the 247Sports insider who had been consistently reporting that Ohio State was the frontrunner in the recruitment found himself the target of fierce criticism. The insider, who had a track record of providing exclusive updates on high-profile recruits, had gone on record multiple times saying that Ohio State had a “significant lead” over Alabama in the recruitment of Thomas. He also had reported that Ryan Day and Tim Walton were confident they could seal the deal, and Thomas was expected to commit to the Buckeyes in the coming months.

However, as the dust settled and the reality of Thomas’ decision became clear, many fans felt betrayed and misled by the insider’s optimistic reports. For months, they had been led to believe that Thomas was on his way to Ohio State, and the 247Sports insider had reinforced that narrative with a steady stream of updates. When those updates didn’t translate into an actual commitment, the fans’ frustration began to boil over.

On social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit, fans lashed out at the insider, accusing him of being too optimistic and for putting Ohio State fans in a false sense of security. The backlash ranged from criticism of the insider’s accuracy to questioning whether the information provided was truly reliable. Many fans felt that the insider had failed to recognize the importance of other schools—especially Alabama—in Thomas’ recruitment and had not adequately prepared the fanbase for the possibility of a flip.

The frustration was compounded by the fact that 247Sports is a major player in the recruiting world, and the credibility of its insiders is highly valued by fans and programs alike. When an insider’s reports don’t align with the actual outcome, it can damage the trust fans have in the platform and its reporting.

Additionally, some fans also pointed to the broader trend in Ohio State’s recruiting efforts. Although Ryan Day’s tenure has been marked by strong recruiting classes, including several top-five finishes, the Buckeyes have had trouble sealing the deal on certain recruits, particularly in head-to-head battles with programs like Alabama, Georgia, and Clemson. Many questioned whether the Buckeyes’ strategy, which often emphasized relationships and development, was enough to overcome the national pull and historical success of other programs.

Ohio State’s Struggles in 2026 Recruiting Class

While the miss on Javon Thomas stung, it was not the first recruiting setback that Ohio State had faced during the 2026 cycle. The Buckeyes had also seen other top recruits slip through their fingers, including five-star wide receiver Kevin Givens, who committed to Georgia, and defensive lineman Aiden Ford, who chose to stay closer to home at Michigan.

Despite these setbacks, Ohio State still managed to land several highly rated recruits, but the fact that they were unable to secure Thomas was particularly painful for a program with aspirations to dominate the Big Ten and contend for national titles year in and year out. The recruiting misses raised questions about whether Ohio State was losing its edge in recruiting, especially in the face of stiff competition from perennial powers like Alabama, Georgia, and others.

What This Means for Ryan Day and Ohio State

The failure to land Javon Thomas is not just a blow to Ohio State’s recruiting efforts—it also carries significant implications for Ryan Day and the direction of the program. Recruiting has always been a cornerstone of Day’s approach, and his ability to land top-tier talent has been one of the driving forces behind Ohio State’s continued success. However, the miss on Thomas and the subsequent backlash from fans raises important questions about the program’s future.

If Ohio State is to continue competing at the highest level, Ryan Day will need to re-evaluate his approach to recruiting. He will have to address the areas where Ohio State is falling short, whether it’s in landing certain types of players, keeping top-tier talent in state, or strengthening relationships with high school coaches across the country. The Buckeyes have proven that they can develop elite talent, but recruiting against juggernauts like Alabama, Georgia, and others requires more than just good relationships—it demands a national recruiting presence, a compelling pitch, and a track record of success that resonates with players.

The loss of Thomas, while significant, is not the end of Ohio State’s recruiting efforts. However, it is a reminder that no program is immune to the ups and downs of college football recruiting. As the Buckeyes look ahead to future classes, they must continue to adapt to the changing landscape and find ways to capitalize on their strengths while addressing any weaknesses.