Michigan and Ohio State Competing for Elite 5-Star EDGE Carter Meadows
Ohio State is among the final four teams in the race for 5-star EDGE Carter Meadows, one of the top recruits in the Class of 2026.
Over the past decade, Ohio State has established itself as a premier program for developing elite defensive ends, with players like Jack Sawyer, Chase Young, and Joey Bosa making significant impacts in the NFL and earning lucrative contracts straight out of college. This success is the core of the pitch the Buckeyes will make to Meadows, who has narrowed his list of potential schools down to four.
Ohio State will face stiff competition for the standout pass rusher, with Michigan, Penn State, and South Carolina also in the running for Meadows’ commitment, according to Steve Wiltfong.
Washington (DC) Gonzaga 5-star edge Carter Meadows has his final four in Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and South Carolina with OVs set for the summer. He talks about each program and what he’s looking for in a school here: https://t.co/Z1dRBv4w9H pic.twitter.com/a4bIJ0BHw9
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong_) May 9, 2025
Ranked as the 4th-best EDGE in the Class of 2026 by 247Sports, Meadows is a highly coveted prospect. Maryland and Notre Dame are currently the top two teams for the position, while the third-ranked recruit, Trenton Henderson, still hasn’t received a Crystal Ball prediction.
Ohio State’s Class of 2025 does include some promising talent in Zion Grady and Epi Sitanilei, both four-star recruits, but they don’t have a top-10 edge rusher coming in this year. Without a highly ranked defensive end in the Class of 2026, Ohio State may need to target this position heavily in the transfer portal or future recruiting cycles.
Despite the competition, Ohio State’s pitch is strong, and with Meadows standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 215 pounds, the Washington D.C. native could ultimately decide to join the Buckeyes in the coming years.
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