Ohio State 2026 Camp Spotlights Top 2028 Prospects: Harrison, Edmunds, and a Record-Breaking Offer Surge
Ohio State’s final high school football camp of 2026 featured five-star wide receiver Jett Harrison—the Buckeyes’ top 2028 target—alongside quarterback commit Brady Edmunds, who remains undecided between Ohio State and UCLA. Nine prospects received offers, including four-star Georgia DL Jamir Lee and top-100 DT Aedyn Havili, signaling a surge in late-cycle recruiting momentum.
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### Why Ohio State’s 2026 Camp Was a Turning Point for Jett Harrison and the 2028 Class
Ohio State’s June 2026 camp wasn’t just another showcase—it was a defining moment for the Buckeyes’ 2028 recruiting class, particularly for five-star wide receiver Jett Harrison, the younger brother of former Ohio State standout Marvin Harrison Jr. According to Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong, Harrison was projected to eventually commit to the Buckeyes, and his brief but explosive performance at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center reinforced why he’s the No. 4 overall prospect in his class.
Harrison, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound receiver, spent just 30 minutes working out with wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton but left an indelible impression. “He consistently caught the ball in his hands, ran crisp routes, and showed elite explosiveness,” observed a scout who attended the camp. His ability to separate in traffic and make contested catches—even against Ohio State’s top quarterbacks—mirrors the traits that made his brother a first-round NFL pick.
Comparison: Harrison’s route-running and hands caught the eye of Buckeyes coaches in a similar way to Marvin Harrison Jr., who dominated at Ohio State before becoming a first-round pick in 2023. While Jett isn’t yet at his brother’s level, his 2028 recruiting trajectory suggests he could follow a similar path—especially if he commits early.
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### Brady Edmunds’ Ohio State Visit Hangs in the Balance: UCLA Looms as a Wild Card
Quarterback commit Brady Edmunds—Ohio State’s 2027 signal-caller—ended his five-day visit with a deep-ball touchdown throw that underscored his development. But his future with the Buckeyes isn’t guaranteed. “Ohio State’s where I want to be as of now, but we’ve got to go through the process,” Edmunds told reporters after camp. “College football is crazy—coaches move, things change. I’ve got to look out for myself.”
Edmunds’ hesitation stems from UCLA’s aggressive pursuit, which includes a potential coaching change that could sway his decision. His official visit concludes this weekend, but his June 18 media session revealed cracks in his commitment. “Having a safety blanket with UCLA is smart,” he admitted, a rare public acknowledgment of uncertainty from a top quarterback prospect.
Why it matters: Edmunds’ status as a five-star dual-threat QB (6-foot-4, 215 lbs, 4.6 40-time) makes him Ohio State’s most coveted 2027 target. If he flips to UCLA, the Buckeyes would lose their only five-star QB in the class, forcing a scramble to replace him—a scenario that could ripple into the 2028 recruiting cycle.
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### Ohio State Hands Out Nine Offers in One Day: Who’s Next on the Board?
Thursday’s camp broke Ohio State’s record for offers handed out in a single event, with nine prospects receiving scholarships—a move that signals urgency in the late-cycle recruiting push. Among the new commits:
– Josiah Boyd (QB, 2028, No. 7-ranked QB) – The seventh-ranked QB in his class, Boyd’s offer came after a standout performance in drills.
– Aedyn Havili (DT, 2028, Top-100) – A former Under Armour Next camp standout, Havili impressed defensive line coach Larry Johnson.
– Jamir Lee (DL, 2028, 4-star) – A Georgia defensive lineman who dominated in one-on-one drills.
– Elijah Newman-Hall (RB, 2028, 4-star) – Already committed, he returned for a second day of camp but remained on the sidelines.
Data point: Ohio State has already extended 50+ offers in 2026, a 20% increase from the same period in 2025, according to 247Sports’ recruiting database. The surge reflects head coach Ryan Day’s aggressive late-cycle approach, a strategy that paid off with 2025 commits like QB Kyle McCord and WR Malik Nabers.
Did you know? Ohio State’s 2026 offer surge mirrors Alabama’s late-cycle success in 2023, when the Crimson Tide flipped three four-star commits in the final two weeks of June.
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### Kaylon Bailey’s Decision Looms: Ohio State vs. Louisville vs. Colorado
While the 2028 class stole the spotlight, 2027 linebacker Kaylon Bailey—Ohio State’s top remaining uncommitted target—attended camp but didn’t participate in drills. Bailey, a five-star prospect from Glenville High School, has visited Ohio State, Louisville, and Colorado and told Eleven Warriors he’ll make a decision “within the next two weeks,” though he could push it to early July.
Bailey’s decision hinges on defensive scheme fit and coaching relationships. Ohio State’s new defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel (hired in 2025) has revamped the Buckeyes’ pass rush, but Bailey has also expressed interest in Louisville’s high-flying offense and Colorado’s mountain-west football culture.
Comparison: Bailey’s recruitment parallels 2024 LB DeMarvin Leal, who flipped from Ohio State to Louisville after a late visit. If Bailey chooses the Buckeyes, it would be a major coup—but if he leaves, Ohio State’s 2027 class could lose its top LB.
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### The 2028 Class Takes Shape: Who’s Left to Watch?
With Harrison, Havili, and Boyd now in the fold, Ohio State’s 2028 class is shaping up as deep at receiver and offensive line—two positions where the Buckeyes need reinforcements. But three critical spots remain unfilled:
1. Quarterback – Ohio State has no commits beyond Edmunds, meaning Christopher Vargas (No. 1 QB, 2028) and Josiah Boyd could be the class’ signal-callers.
2. Edge Rusher – The Buckeyes lost 2025 commits like Nick Cross to transfers, leaving a void at edge.
3. Safety – Geo McKnight (DB, 2028) is the only commit at the position, a concern given Ohio State’s 2025 secondary struggles.
Pro tip: Ohio State’s 2028 class could be a sleeper if they land Harrison + Vargas + Havili, a trio that would give the Buckeyes three top-100 prospects at key positions.
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### FAQ: Ohio State Recruiting 2026 – What You Need to Know
Q: Will Jett Harrison commit to Ohio State?
A: Projected yes, but not yet official. Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong called Harrison a “lock” for Ohio State, but he’ll likely wait until July 2027 (his senior year) to sign. His brother’s legacy and Ohio State’s receiver development program make it the favorite.
Q: Is Brady Edmunds really considering UCLA?
A: Yes, and it’s serious. Edmunds’ June 18 media session revealed cracks in his commitment, and UCLA’s potential coaching change could sway him. His decision hinges on QB coach stability and NFL draft projections.
Q: How many offers has Ohio State given out in 2026?
A: Over 50, a 20% increase from 2025, per 247Sports. The surge reflects Ryan Day’s late-cycle urgency, especially after losing 2025 commits to transfers.
Q: Who’s Ohio State’s biggest remaining target in 2027?
A: Kaylon Bailey (LB) and Tyler Johnson (WR) are the two biggest names still on the board. Bailey’s decision in early July could determine Ohio State’s 2027 class depth.
Q: Can Ohio State still land a top-10 QB in 2028?
A: Unlikely, but not impossible. With Vargas (No. 1) and Boyd (No. 7) already in the fold, Ohio State would need a top-20 flip—like Dakota Hudson (No. 15)—to move up.
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### What’s Next for Ohio State Recruiting?
Ohio State’s 2026 camp was a statement: a mix of high-profile commits (Harrison), wavering stars (Edmunds), and late-cycle offers that suggest Ryan Day’s team is playing the long game. But with key positions still unfilled and coaching uncertainty (Vrabel’s first full season as DC), the Buckeyes face a make-or-break recruiting year.
Reader engagement: *Which prospect do you think Ohio State should prioritize next? Drop a comment below!*
Explore more:
– [How Ohio State’s 2025 Class Compares to Alabama’s 2023 Recruiting Haul](link-to-article)
– [The Rise of Ryan Day’s Late-Cycle Recruiting Strategy](link-to-article)
– [Top 10 Biggest Recruiting Mistakes College Football Teams Make](link-to-article)
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