Top Texas Five-Star CB Target Shares Major Recruiting Update Involving Ohio State
Landing five-star recruits from Texas isn’t something Ohio State does frequently, but the Buckeyes have managed it before. Past examples include former standout cornerback Jeff Okudah and current five-star commit Devin Sanchez. Now, head coach Ryan Day and his staff are trying to repeat that success with another elite prospect from the Lone Star State.
Five-star cornerback John Meredith III—the top player in Texas and the No. 2 overall recruit in the 2027 class—recently revealed his official visit schedule for the summer, and Ohio State Buckeyes football made the list. Meredith, who attends North Crowley High School, is widely considered the best cornerback in his class and has received 42 FBS scholarship offers. His current top four includes Alabama Crimson Tide football, Texas Longhorns football, Texas A&M Aggies football, and Ohio State.
Meredith will begin his official visit tour with Alabama from May 29–30, followed by a trip to Texas from June 5–7. He’ll then head to Texas A&M from June 12–14 before wrapping up the schedule with a visit to Ohio State in Columbus from June 19–21.
Ohio State has been actively recruiting Meredith for some time and already hosted him during a game visit this past season when the Buckeyes faced Penn State Nittany Lions football. The experience left a strong impression on the young defensive back.
Meredith said the visit stood out because of the program’s approach and atmosphere, noting that Ohio State treated every opponent with respect rather than focusing solely on big-name matchups.
The weather also gave him a glimpse of life in the Midwest. With temperatures around 54 degrees that day, it was far cooler than what he’s used to in Texas, but Meredith said he still enjoyed the experience.
Having a familiar connection on campus helped as well. Sanchez, another Texas native and Buckeyes defensive back commit, served as a guide during Meredith’s visit and helped him get comfortable around the program. The two have remained in contact since then.
One of the strongest recruiting connections for Ohio State has been cornerbacks coach Tim Walton. Meredith has spoken highly of Walton, praising the coach for building a genuine relationship with both him and his family.
Meredith explained that Walton’s communication and experience have made a strong impression, especially with his parents. That trust has become an important factor in the recruiting process, as his family’s comfort with a program plays a major role in his decision.
Despite Ohio State’s efforts, the Buckeyes face stiff competition. Texas A&M has longstanding ties with Meredith because he grew up around the Aggies program. Texas has also generated buzz by securing a second official visit, while Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer continues to push hard for the talented cornerback.
Even though Meredith’s recruitment remains wide open, Ohio State’s 2027 class is already shaping up to be impressive.
Ohio State Building Strong 2027 Recruiting Class
The Buckeyes currently have nine commitments in the 2027 class, led by five-star defensive end DJ Jacobs and five-star wide receiver Jamier Brown. Jacobs holds the No. 1 overall spot in 247Sports’ internal rankings, while Brown is the top player in Ohio and one of the highest-ranked wide receivers nationally.
Ohio State also secured a quarterback early when four-star prospect Brady Edmunds committed in 2024. The Huntington Beach, California native is currently ranked No. 11 at his position.
With additional four-star and three-star prospects already on board, Ohio State sits third in the early 2027 recruiting rankings behind Oklahoma Sooners football and Texas A&M.
The Buckeyes are still pursuing several other top recruits as well, including five-star wide receivers Monshun Sales and Eric McFarland along with five-star running back David Gabriel Georges.
Meredith remains one of the biggest targets left on the board. If Ohio State can win this recruiting battle in Texas, it would provide a major boost to the program’s 2027 class—and potentially add another elite defensive back to the Buckeyes’ future roster.
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