Ohio State’s Towering Offensive Recruit Gets Honest on Choosing Buckeyes

In the high-stakes world of college football recruiting, commitments can be driven by a number of factors—program prestige, coaching relationships, NFL pipelines, and sometimes even geography. But for one of Ohio State’s most physically imposing offensive line recruits in the 2025 class, the decision to wear the scarlet and gray was about something deeper: culture, fit, and trust.

Meet Logan Carpenter, a 6-foot-7, 320-pound offensive tackle out of Warren Central High School in Indiana, who is redefining what it means to be “all in” on a commitment. Widely regarded as one of the top offensive line prospects in the Midwest, Carpenter chose the Buckeyes over a who’s who of college football heavyweights, including Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, and Notre Dame.

But the story of his commitment isn’t just about the stars next to his name. It’s about a young man who sought clarity in the chaos, and in the end, found exactly what he needed in Columbus.

A Decision That Took Time

“I didn’t want to rush into it,” Carpenter said during an exclusive interview following his commitment announcement. “Everyone was coming at me hard—official visits, texts, calls—but I wanted to make sure I was making the decision for me and not for hype or pressure.”

Carpenter, who ranks as a consensus top-50 player nationally and a top-5 offensive tackle in the 2025 cycle, says he visited nearly a dozen schools before narrowing his list.

“It was really close between Ohio State and Georgia at the end,” he admitted. “They both develop linemen, they both play for national championships. But the feeling I got at Ohio State was different.”

He cited multiple visits to Columbus—including an unofficial game-day trip and a spring practice tour—as turning points.

“When I was in that offensive line meeting room with Coach Frye, I felt like I belonged. Like I was already part of the plan,” he said.

Justin Frye: The Closer

Ohio State offensive line coach Justin Frye has been quietly building a reputation as one of the best developers of talent in the country. Under his guidance, the Buckeyes have not only recruited elite linemen but also turned mid-tier prospects into NFL-ready players.

For Carpenter, Frye’s honest, technical, and no-nonsense approach made a huge impact.

“Coach Frye doesn’t sugarcoat anything,” Carpenter explained. “He’s real with you—he’ll tell you what you need to work on, where you fit, and what the expectations are. That mattered to me.”

Frye didn’t just pitch Carpenter on facilities or NFL dreams. He talked about mental preparation, film study habits, hand placement, pad level, and mastering leverage against elite edge rushers.

“He broke down my tape in front of the whole staff and said, ‘Here’s what you do well, and here’s what we’re going to fix.’ That moment told me he wasn’t just trying to get me to commit. He was already trying to make me better.”

The Allure of the Brotherhood

Ask any current or former Buckeye what defines the Ohio State football program and you’re likely to hear the word “brotherhood.” For Carpenter, that wasn’t just a slogan—it was something he felt on every visit.

“I watched how the linemen interacted,” he said. “The way they pushed each other but still laughed and had each other’s backs—you could tell they were brothers.”

Carpenter specifically mentioned veteran Buckeye linemen like Donovan Jackson and Josh Fryar as mentors who took time to talk to him during visits and explain what life in the trenches at OSU is really like.

“They told me it’s hard. It’s not for everyone. But if you buy in, you get better every day. That’s what I wanted to hear.”

A Family-First Decision

While Carpenter’s size and skill are evident, his commitment was deeply rooted in family discussions and values. His parents, both educators, stressed the importance of academics and character in the recruiting process.

“They were very involved,” Carpenter said. “They asked questions about academics, support services, life after football.”

Ohio State passed every test.

The Carpenter family was particularly impressed by the Real Life Wednesdays program—a cornerstone of the Buckeyes’ approach to life beyond football, designed to prepare players for success in careers, networking, and financial literacy.

“That program blew us away,” Carpenter’s mother said. “They’re not just creating athletes. They’re developing young men.”

Big Man with Bigger Goals

Carpenter, despite already drawing comparisons to former Buckeye greats like Taylor Decker and Paris Johnson Jr., is hungry to forge his own legacy.

“I’m not going there to be the next someone else,” he said. “I’m going there to be the first Logan Carpenter.”

He plans to enroll early in January to get a head start on strength and conditioning, playbook knowledge, and team chemistry. His goal? To compete for playing time as a true freshman.

“I know I have a lot to learn, but I’m not going there to sit. I want to contribute however I can.”

What the Commitment Means for Ohio State

Carpenter’s commitment is a massive win for the Buckeyes in more ways than one.

First, he addresses a critical need. While Ohio State has been dominant in skill-position recruiting, they’ve faced increasing pressure to land more top-tier offensive linemen to match up with SEC defensive fronts in the playoff era.

Second, his pledge could spark momentum. Other top offensive linemen, including national names like Tyree Adams (FL) and Jacob Richardson (TX), have listed Ohio State in their top groups. Carpenter’s commitment sends a clear signal: Columbus is once again a place where elite linemen want to be.

Third, the Buckeyes land not just a star on the field—but a future leader in the locker room.

“He’s a tone-setter,” one Midwest scout said. “You build an O-line room around a guy like that.”

Scouting Report: What Makes Carpenter Special

Carpenter’s physical tools jump off the screen.

Height/Weight: 6’7”, 320 lbs.
Wingspan: 84 inches
40-yard dash: 5.1 seconds (unofficial)
Bench Press: 405 lbs max
Vertical: 27 inches

But beyond the numbers, it’s his technique and mental sharpness that separate him from peers.

“He’s not just big—he’s smart, he’s nasty, and he moves his feet like a guard,” said a national recruiting analyst. “He plays through the whistle and finishes every block.”

Carpenter is also a student of the game. He watches film on NFL tackles daily, particularly studying the footwork of Tyron Smith and the hand usage of Trent Williams.

“Those guys are monsters, but they’re also surgeons,” he said. “I want to blend size with precision.”

Recruiting Fallout: Who’s Next?

Carpenter’s commitment could set off a chain reaction in the Midwest and beyond. Already, other prospects are taking notice.

Nathaniel James (MI), a top-10 center nationally, recently said he’s intrigued by playing next to Carpenter at OSU.
Ethan Ramos (OH), a four-star guard from Mentor, has scheduled an official visit to Columbus this summer.
Julian Smith (PA), another top lineman, called Carpenter’s decision “a big-time move” and said he’s considering a visit.

With offensive line depth being a key to championship-level football, Ohio State’s staff hopes to capitalize on the buzz.

The Bigger Picture: Building a Championship-Caliber Trenches

If Ohio State wants to compete—and win—against SEC powers like Alabama and Georgia, the offensive line must become a consistent position of dominance. Carpenter’s commitment shows the Buckeyes are serious about re-establishing that identity.

“We can’t just have elite receivers and QBs,” Coach Day said in a recent media availability. “Championships are won at the line of scrimmage. We’re building that foundation.”

Carpenter is the cornerstone of that foundation in the 2025 cycle.

A Giant Decision, A Giant Future

In an era where recruiting decisions are often flashy, short-lived, and driven by trends, Logan Carpenter’s choice to commit to Ohio State feels grounded—rooted in relationships, values, and long-term thinking.

“This isn’t just a four-year decision,” Carpenter said. “It’s a 40-year decision. And I believe Ohio State is the best place to grow as a player, a student, and a man.”

The Buckeyes didn’t just land a big body. They landed a big personality, a future team captain, and a potential All-American.

And if Carpenter has his way, he’ll be the next great name etched into the lineage of dominant Ohio State linemen—a lineage that now has a towering new member.