Inside Two Massive Ohio State 2026 Prospects That Are At The Top Of The Buckeyes’ Wishlist

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Few high school games in Ohio hold more significance for the future of Ohio State than the matchup between Archbishop Hoban (Akron) and St. Ignatius (Cleveland) last Friday.

Both schools from Northeast Ohio featured a wealth of future college talent, including five players with offers from the Buckeyes, two of whom have already made their commitments.

Among the standout prospects are 2025 linebacker Eli Lee from Hoban and safety Cody Haddad from St. Ignatius, although Haddad didn’t play. Additionally, 2026 offensive tackle Sam Greer and cornerback Elbert Hill, both from Hoban, along with 2026 offensive lineman Will Conroy from St. Ignatius, are notable talents.

Greer and Hill are expected to play key roles in Ohio State’s recruiting efforts over the next year and a half. “My mom prefers I stay close to home, so that’s a significant consideration,” Greer shared with cleveland.com on Friday. “My brother is currently at West Point playing football, and it’s tough for her that he’s away. I want to compete where the best football is and where I have the best opportunities.”

Both players are highly rated in the 247Sports composite rankings, with Hill being the top player in Ohio and Greer ranked sixth. They represent major targets in the 2026 class, given the level of talent available in the state for those positions.

Currently, there are two cornerbacks—Hill and Victor Singleton from Toledo Central Catholic—ranked in the top three in Ohio. Offensive linemen Greer and Maxwell Riley from Avon Lake are rated second and sixth, respectively.

This doesn’t account for cornerback Jakob Weatherspoon from Avon, Conroy, or many other skilled defensive backs and offensive linemen in the 2026 class.

In summary, Ohio State will have plenty of opportunities to recruit top-tier talent for cornerback and offensive line positions. For cornerbacks coach Tim Walton, this could be a big advantage, while for offensive line coach Justin Frye, securing quality talent may be essential.