Ohio State Emerges as Early Favorite for Elite 2028 Receiver, but Oregon Remains in the Hunt
Ohio State has positioned itself as the early frontrunner in the recruitment of five-star wide receiver Braylon Clark, one of the top prospects in the 2028 class. While many elite recruits spent June touring multiple campuses, Clark made just one unofficial visit—and it was to Columbus.
That visit has fueled optimism around the Buckeyes, with On3/Rivals recruiting analysts Steve Wiltfong and Chad Simmons each projecting Ohio State as the current leader. Both have given Ryan Day’s program a 60% chance of securing Clark’s commitment.
Despite that momentum, the race is far from decided. Oregon continues to be viewed as Ohio State’s biggest challenger and remains firmly in contention for the prized receiver.
Buckeyes Make Strong Impression During June Visit
Clark is ranked as the nation’s No. 7 overall prospect, the No. 3 wide receiver in the 2028 recruiting class, and the top player in North Carolina. According to 247Sports, he recorded 65 receptions for 1,093 yards and 12 touchdowns during the 2025 season before transferring to Providence Day School, where expectations are even higher entering his junior campaign.
His June visit to Ohio State was more than a routine campus stop. New wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton spent considerable time with the 6-foot-3, 185-pound standout, breaking down film, working with him during camp, and discussing how he would fit into the Buckeyes’ offensive system.
As Chad Simmons reported, Ohio State used the visit to show Clark its long-term development plan and how the coaching staff envisions him becoming the next standout receiver in Columbus.
That message aligns with the program’s long-standing reputation for producing NFL-caliber wideouts. Although former receivers coach Brian Hartline has moved on to become head coach at USF, Ohio State continues to sell one of college football’s premier receiver development pipelines.
Cortez Hankton Keeping Ohio State’s WR Tradition Alive
Replacing Hartline was always going to bring scrutiny given his reputation as one of the nation’s best recruiters and developers of wide receiver talent.
So far, however, Hankton has made an encouraging start. He has already helped land five-star receiver Jett Harrison—the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison Sr.—in the 2028 class, along with five-star prospect Austin Miller in the 2029 cycle. He’s also playing a significant role in recruiting elite 2027 target Monshun Sales.
Adding Clark to that list would further reinforce the idea that Ohio State’s success at recruiting elite receivers hasn’t slowed despite the coaching transition.
Oregon Still Poses a Serious Challenge
Even with predictions favoring Ohio State, Clark’s recruitment remains wide open, and Oregon continues to loom as the Buckeyes’ primary competition.
Under head coach Dan Lanning, the Ducks have become one of the nation’s strongest recruiting programs, including in talent-rich North Carolina. Oregon previously landed elite tight end Kendre Harrison in the 2026 class and recently secured edge rusher Rashad Streets, showing the program can consistently win recruiting battles far from Eugene.
Clark has also developed a strong connection with Oregon after making multiple visits to campus and has openly discussed his admiration for the program.
Last summer, he explained that Oregon had long been one of his favorite schools, recalling how the team’s uniforms first caught his attention and how watching De’Anthony Thomas highlights helped spark his interest in the Ducks.
Still, Ohio State offers a compelling track record of sending wide receivers to the NFL, giving the Buckeyes a powerful recruiting advantage.
With plenty of time remaining before the 2028 recruiting cycle reaches its conclusion, the competition is far from over. But if Ohio State ultimately wins the battle for Clark’s commitment, the turning point may be traced back to that June visit, when one weekend in Columbus left a lasting impression on one of the nation’s premier young receivers.
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