As the recruiting cycle continues to heat up heading into the summer months, Ohio State remains in the thick of high-stakes battles for some of the nation’s top talent. On Wednesday, two elite high school prospects with Buckeye offers narrowed down their college options — and Ohio State fans have plenty of reason for optimism.
First up is four-star defensive back Kendall Mitchell out of Buford High School in Georgia. Widely regarded as one of the most versatile athletes in the 2025 class, Mitchell announced his top five schools via social media: Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama, Florida State, and Oregon.
Mitchell, who measures 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, has played both safety and cornerback at the high school level. His agility and range have impressed scouts and coaches alike, with many projecting him as a future impact player in college secondaries. While Georgia is considered the hometown favorite, Mitchell has maintained steady communication with secondary coach Tim Walton and head coach Ryan Day.
Mitchell visited Columbus earlier this spring for a junior day event and came away impressed by the culture of the program, the coaching staff’s developmental track record, and the energy inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. “Ohio State is different,” Mitchell said in a recent interview. “You feel the legacy when you walk in. I had a great time talking ball with Coach Walton — he sees me as a guy who can move around the field and make plays.”
Insiders believe Mitchell will take official visits to all five finalists in June, with Ohio State expected to host him the weekend of June 14. That visit could prove pivotal in establishing the Buckeyes as a serious contender, especially if they can continue building momentum with other key defensive recruits.
The second player to trim his list is five-star offensive lineman Jordan McKinley from Mater Dei High School in California. McKinley, ranked as the No. 2 offensive tackle in the 2025 class, revealed a final group of six: Ohio State, USC, Michigan, LSU, Texas, and Oregon.
Ohio State made a strong push for McKinley this spring, with offensive line coach Justin Frye taking a lead role in his recruitment. McKinley praised Frye’s technical approach to coaching and his focus on preparing linemen for the NFL. “Coach Frye doesn’t sugarcoat anything — he’s real,” McKinley said. “He showed me exactly how they develop linemen, and that stood out to me.”
Though USC and Oregon are seen as strong regional players, McKinley has indicated a willingness to leave the West Coast if the right fit emerges. His visit to Ohio State in early April reportedly exceeded expectations. He attended a spring practice and had extended conversations with Coach Day and several current players, including starting tackle Josh Simmons. According to sources close to McKinley, he was struck by the program’s intensity and the close-knit nature of the offensive line unit.
Both Mitchell and McKinley represent key positions of need for the Buckeyes in the 2025 class. As Ohio State continues to shape its recruiting board heading into official visit season, these two prospects will be among the most closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
For now, the Buckeyes are in a strong position — but the work is far from over. The next few months will be critical as both players look to lock in their final visits and inch closer to their decisions. With the summer shaping up to be one of the most consequential periods in recent memory, Ohio State’s recruiting machine is just getting warmed up.
