The Opening Drive 2/20: 2026 Recruiting Class Superlatives
Which Newcomers Will Exceed Expectations? Win a Heisman? Be an All American?
I think by now it’s fairly obvious that I could talk recruiting seven days a week. We have introduced you guys to the class and discussed their rankings, and now I’d like to award a few superlatives for the class. These conversations are always fun to look back on, mostly because they’re only right in the case of generational talents. Don’t get me wrong, the pleasant surprises are an added bonus! I’ll discuss four different categories : Most Likely To Be The #1 Pick in the draft, Most Likely To Win a Heisman, Most Likely To Be An All-American, and Most Likely To Exceed Every Expectation. With that, let’s get into it! For the purpose of this, I’ve tried to not have any players in multiple categories, although I did have to have one player cross over into two.
Most Likely to Be an All American:
Defensive End Khary Wilder
Wilder does a lot of things very well, and is only going to get better while at Ohio State. He comes to OSU at 6’4 and 260, which screams I’m ready to play. He had double digit sacks his sophomore and senior seasons, along with 26 qb hits in his senior season. Couple that with his twitch, aggression, and willingness to be involved in stopping the run, and a 3-4 year high level contribution is a definite possibility.
Other potential winners: Chris Henry Jr, Jay Timmons, Blaine Bradford
Most Likely to Win a Heisman:
ATH Legend Bey
The one trait we are starting to see amongst Heisman winners is explosiveness, and excitement. There is no other player in this class who exemplifies those traits more than Bey. The term “freak athlete” gets tossed around a lot anymore, but it truly does apply to Bey. The versatility that he brings also ups his chances. If Bey develops into the player a lot of us anticipate him to be, he will have rushing, receiving, and possibly even passing stats!
Other potential winners: Jerquaden Guilford, Chris Henry Jr.
LATEST PODCASTS:
Position Reviews (TE): Who Will Lead The Tight End Room in 2026?
Position Reviews (RB): Bo Jackson and Isaiah West Analysis and Focus Areas for 2026
LATEST ARTICLES:
The Opening Drive 2/18 (Lunchtime Edition): Promoting From Within — Risk or Readiness?
The Opening Drive 2/16: The 2027 Recruiting Class Is Starting To Clear Up
The Opening Drive 2/14: Lessons From the Coaches Clinic — Why Laurinaitis Stands Out
LATEST FILM ROOM:
FILM ROOM: What Christian Alliegro Brings to the Buckeyes 2026 Defense
FILM ROOM: Scouting New Ohio State TE Hunter Welcing and How He Fits the 2026 Offense
Most Likely to Be the Number 1 Pick in the NFL Draft
OT Sam Greer
This one is difficult, not due to a lack of talent in the class but because there are only a handful of positions that justify going first in the draft. While Luke Fahey is a very talented QB, I just don’t see him being a potential number 1 at the most marquee position in the game. The other factor into this one is that given how quarterback driven the NFL has become, it’s rare for the #1 pick to be anything other than a quarterback. However, if a team doesn’t need a quarterback nor do they find a suitable trade offer for the pick, the position they’re most likely to pivot to is offensive tackle. The Akron Hoban product possesses elite traits, and should evolve into a starting tackle for the Buckeyes, as soon as his sophomore season. If Greer gets on the field that soon, and reaches his full potential there could be a chance he achieves top pick status.
Other potential winners: Cincere Johnson
Most Likely to Exceed Every Expectation
WR Brock Boyd AND S Kaden Gebhardt
It’s no secret how Coach Slate and I feel about Brock Boyd. I’ve paid attention to recruiting since the Terrrelle Pryor recruitment, and I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a player more criminally ranked than Brock Boyd. Boyd played for Southlake Carroll, which is one of the premier programs in the state of Texas. He amassed nearly 1,900 yards receiving and 19 touchdowns in his junior season. Yet, he is the 100th ranked wide receiver in the 247Sports Composite rankings. I can assure that there are not 99 other receivers better in this class. I do think that two things hurt him in the rankings and that is his offer list wasn’t “sexy” and I think most recruiting experts think he can only play in the slot and thus is limited in how he can be used.
I’ve known Coach Slate for going on twenty years, and as we all know he has been fortunate to coach a lot of very talented football players along his coaching journey. I don’t know that Kaden Gebhardt is the most talented, but I don’t know that Coach has ever coached a hungrier player. Hunger can be an insane motivator. Listed as the 50th best safety in the class, by the 247Sports Composite, will make a kid hungry. From the moment he committed to the Buckeyes, I called my shot and said that he will see the field as a freshman. We have seen special teams roles often be an indicator of things to come for guys, and I think we will see the same with Kaden.
Other potential winners: Jamir Perez
Jeremy’s Memorabilia Find of the Day
It’s no secret to those of you that have followed us or watched an episode, that I’m an OSU memorabilia junkie. I wanted to add a fun closing to my Opening Drives and share with you guys a cool memorabilia find each day. Be it a good deal somewhere that you might enjoy, or a rare piece that has popped up. Today’s piece falls under the good deal category, and is over at Fanatics. They are offering a full size replica helmet that celebrates the 2024 National Championship for $99.99. BUY IT HERE
Buckeye Film Breakdown will return soon with some fresh content.
