Recruits made a lasting impression on Ohio State after the

Recruits made a lasting impression on Ohio State after the Buckeyes’ 56-14 win over Indiana

Sports News / By /

In its penultimate home game of the regular season, Ohio State seized its opportunity to impress the recruits in Saturday’s 56-14 win over Indiana.

Several highly acclaimed prospects from Classes 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 were in attendance enjoying their Ohio Stadium experience, winter flurry and such.

Most notably, Ohio State complemented its defensive end goals in the 2023 class with the inclusion and offer of Indiana four-star defensive end Joshua Mickens, who is currently an LSU committed but is now expected to become an official visit to Columbus will return.

We’ll talk more about Mickens in the “rush” later Monday, but in the meantime, Eleven Warriors met with various recruits who attended the Buckeyes’ win to ask what their key takeaways were from their visit to Columbus.

You can see their responses below and check out a photo gallery of some of the recruits in attendance above.

  • Four-star cornerback 2023 signed Jermaine Mathews: “Everything just feels like home in Columbus.”
  • Four-star offensive lineman of 2023 signs Joshua Padilla: “I think my biggest takeaway from the game was how good our running game was.”
  • Four-star tight end target of 2024 Jaden Reddell: “I had a great time in Ohio State, the environment was fantastic. Loved talking to all the coaches, they were all caring and easy to talk to. I loved the place and can’t wait to go back.”
  • Three Star Tight End 2024 Tysen Smith: “I had a great time visiting OSU. It was my first time playing at The Shoe and it was very impressive. They do a great job of taking in recruits and families. I spoke to Coach Wilson and we spent a few minutes on the field before the game talking to him and just making small talk. I’ve talked to him a lot over the last year and he’s really easy to talk to. They see me as an H-Back/Tight End.
  • Three-Star Offensive Lineman 2024 Jake Wheelock: “I need to speak to Coach Frye and Sollenne again. Always happy to talk to them. Frye was very keen to explain to me the importance of the off-season and to ensure technique was my top priority this off-season. The weight room is always important, but what matters is becoming a better football player. And of course, as always, the matchday experience was great. I loved the environment and saw the offensive line dominating again.”
  • Ohio 2024 offensive lineman Marc Nave: “The environment and the energy were crazy. The players just came in and did the business. There are great people working with you. Coach Ed Terwillinger has looked at my film from last year and my last three games and said he was really impressed.”
  • Four Star 2025 Wide Receiver Andrew Marsh: “The visit was good, but cold. I was not expecting that. I spoke to Coach Cass initially, but during the game I was able to speak to Coach Day and Coach Hartline. During the conversation they both asked if I could imagine playing there and if I could bear playing in the cold. The entire recruiting team was nice. Sunday I had a more in-depth time there. I was able to tour the soccer facility and meet with different departments. The place is huge. I see that everything is up-tempo. Talking to the coach, I learned about the playing style of their receivers and what they expect from all players. This visit made a lasting impression on me and I will be back.”
  • Kentucky 2025 Defending Austin Alexander: “It was so much fun to experience a game in Columbus. As soon as you walked into the recruitment lounge, you just knew it was business. Everything was very well done. Seeing the stadium from the field with all the people was an incredible sight. It was such a beautiful stadium. And watching the players get cheered on in the 25 degree snow let you know what was at stake. And it was a pleasure to see Coach Johnson again. It was a very good time.”
  • Ohio 2025 offensive lineman Jake Cook: “My visit was great. I loved watching them have fun and play as a team. The offensive line did great in the running game. I’ve been talking to Coach Frye a lot throughout the day and he wants me to come to the Michigan game. Coach Frye and Coach Sollenne also love that I wrestle and they want to see me wrestle this winter.”
  • Georgia 2026 wide receiver Aaron Gregory: “Yesterday’s game atmosphere was great. Nothing like the state of Ohio. I had a great visit. I’ve made some great connections with wide receiver coach Brian Hartline and safety coach Perry Eliano. They liked my size and potential, future visits are definitely in the works. Great hospitality, enjoyed watching the training and being able to learn from a great group of players and coaches.”