In a surprising development on the college football recruiting trail, the Ohio State Buckeyes have lost a highly regarded four-star recruit to an unexpected program, sending shockwaves through both fan bases and the national recruiting landscape. The player in question, wide receiver Malik Anderson out of Cedar Hill, Texas, had long been considered a strong Ohio State lean. But in a sudden turn of events, Anderson announced his commitment to Arizona State University, stunning many who had followed his recruitment closely.
Anderson, rated as the No. 142 overall prospect in the 2026 class and the No. 21 wide receiver nationally according to 247Sports Composite rankings, had been on Ohio State’s radar for over a year. The Buckeyes, who have established a well-earned reputation as a wide receiver factory under head coach Ryan Day and position coach Brian Hartline, were believed to be in firm control of his recruitment. Anderson had visited Columbus twice, including for the Buckeyes’ spring game, and even referred to Ohio State as his “dream school” during interviews earlier in the year.
However, in a decision that few saw coming, Anderson opted to commit to Arizona State, citing a strong personal connection with head coach Kenny Dillingham and a desire to help build something new in Tempe. In his commitment post on social media, Anderson wrote, “Sometimes the best path isn’t the most obvious one. Arizona State made me feel like a top priority from day one. I believe in Coach Dillingham’s vision, and I want to be part of changing the game out west.”
The decision represents a major recruiting coup for Arizona State, which is working hard to re-establish itself as a competitive force in the Big 12 following the conference realignment. Anderson becomes the highest-ranked commit in ASU’s 2026 class so far, and his pledge could signal a shift in perception for the Sun Devils, especially in the talent-rich state of Texas.
For Ohio State, the loss is both surprising and frustrating. The Buckeyes have routinely secured commitments from top-tier receivers, including recent five-star talents like Jeremiah
