Ohio State came up short in its pursuit of a key piece for the future offensive front, as four-star offensive lineman Drew Evers from the 2026 class announced his commitment to SMU. The highly touted prospect had drawn significant interest from several top-tier programs, including the Buckeyes, but ultimately chose to stay closer to home and join the Mustangs’ rising program.
Ohio State continues to reload and refine its offensive line depth year after year, aiming to maintain the dominance that has become synonymous with its football identity. But even the best programs in the country can’t win every recruiting battle. That reality became clear again when the Buckeyes missed out on one of their top 2026 targets, as four-star offensive lineman Drew Evers announced his commitment to SMU. The news sent ripples throughout the recruiting world—not because Evers wasn’t worthy of the spotlight, but because of the school he chose. In an era where powerhouse programs typically secure the top talent, Evers’ decision to pick SMU over national juggernauts, including Ohio State, marked a major recruiting win for the Mustangs and an unexpected turn in a competitive recruitment.
Drew Evers is more than just a highly rated lineman. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing in at over 280 pounds, he represents the kind of size, technique, and motor that major programs covet in the trenches. He’s agile for his frame, has a natural bend that allows him to win leverage battles, and shows impressive footwork and balance in both run blocking and pass protection. With a high football IQ and a relentless approach to the game, Evers was widely seen as a plug-and-play college prospect with long-term NFL upside. These qualities made him a natural fit for Ohio State, which has consistently churned out NFL-caliber offensive linemen. But Evers had other ideas, and his commitment to SMU reflects the evolving landscape of college football recruiting.
For Ohio State, the loss stings not just because of Evers’ talent, but because of what his commitment symbolizes. The Buckeyes had been aggressive in pursuing top offensive linemen for the 2026 cycle, and Evers was considered one of the cornerstones of their plan. Losing him to a non-Power Four program like SMU is a reminder that recruiting battles are no longer dictated solely by national profile or historic success. NIL opportunities, regional loyalty, coaching relationships, and long-term development pitches all now play a major role in how recruits make decisions. SMU’s move to the ACC and their aggressive push to become a national contender clearly struck a chord with Evers, who saw not just a chance to play, but to build something.
For Evers, the decision was reportedly driven by comfort, connection, and a clear vision from SMU’s coaching staff. He had been courted by multiple blue bloods, from Ohio State to Oklahoma and Texas A\&M, but SMU’s pitch stood out. They offered him not just a spot on the depth chart, but a featured role in the program’s growth. The ability to be a foundational piece in a rising program seemed to hold more weight than being one of many in a loaded blue-chip class. That desire to carve his own path was evident in how he carried himself throughout the recruiting process—measured, thoughtful, and immune to the hype. While many expected him to land at a major Power Four powerhouse, Evers prioritized development and fit over name recognition.
The Buckeyes will undoubtedly recover—recruiting is about both resilience and relationships. They remain in strong position with multiple elite offensive linemen in the 2026 class and have proven time and again that they can reload quickly when plans change. Offensive line coach Justin Frye has built a reputation as a premier developer of talent, and Ohio State’s pedigree at the position remains elite. But missing out on Evers does add urgency to other ongoing pursuits. It heightens the stakes with prospects like Micah DeBose, Ziyare Addison, and Jackson Cantrell, each of whom is being evaluated as a potential foundational piece for Ohio State’s future offensive front.
The decision also underscores how regional momentum can matter. SMU has been making calculated moves to elevate its football program in recent years, from aggressive NIL strategy to a relentless recruiting push. They’ve been actively pursuing high-end in-state talent and have sold a compelling vision built around opportunity, visibility, and legacy. For players like Evers, who hail from Texas and have grown up watching the shifting dynamics of the college football world, there’s a unique appeal to staying close to home and helping a local school rise. SMU isn’t just selling playing time—they’re selling history in the making. And that pitch, combined with a strong coaching relationship, was enough to tip the scales.
Ohio State fans may feel disappointment, and understandably so. Losing a top target, especially one with such obvious potential, is never easy. But perspective matters in recruiting, and the reality is that every class has its twists and turns. The Buckeyes continue to maintain one of the top recruiting infrastructures in the nation. With a coaching staff that knows how to identify, recruit, and develop top-tier linemen, this setback is far from devastating. It’s a reminder, however, that even the best must continue evolving in their approach. Gone are the days when tradition alone could close the deal. Relationships, fit, and vision carry as much weight now as championships and national TV exposure.
There’s also an emotional aspect to decisions like these. For Drew Evers, picking SMU wasn’t just about football—it was about trust. He believed in what SMU is building and in his place within that process. That kind of commitment is hard to fight against, even for programs with Ohio State’s stature. While fans may look at rankings and star ratings, players are increasingly focused on where they’ll be valued, developed, and positioned for long-term success. Evers clearly found those assurances at SMU, and it speaks volumes about the Mustangs’ trajectory that they’re now winning battles against elite competition.
Ohio State will undoubtedly turn its attention to other targets, reinforcing the idea that the recruiting process is fluid and relentless. Momentum can shift quickly, and with months to go before the early signing period for the 2026 class, there will be more storylines, commitments, flips, and surprises. The Buckeyes will aim to strengthen their line class with both high-upside prospects and solid developmental pieces, ensuring that the foundation in the trenches remains strong. And they’ll do so while keeping a close eye on trends like Evers’ commitment, learning how to refine their pitch for an ever-evolving audience of recruits.
In the long run, Drew Evers may thrive at SMU and become a symbol of the new recruiting era—one where bold decisions and non-traditional paths become the norm rather than the exception. And if he does, it will be a win not just for SMU, but for every underdog program seeking to compete at the highest level. For Ohio State, his departure is a temporary setback but also a challenge—a prompt to adapt, refocus, and come back stronger. The Buckeyes didn’t land Drew Evers, but the chase for dominance in the trenches continues, and they have the tools, experience, and resources to stay at the top.
Recruiting is as much about what you do after a miss as it is about who you land. Ohio State has faced this reality before and will do so again. The 2026 class is far from finished, and the Buckeyes remain one of the premier destinations for offensive linemen who want to compete, grow, and win championships. Drew Evers chose a different route, and his path will be watched closely. Whether it leads to personal glory, team success, or both, his decision will stand as a reflection of college football’s new era—one where vision, belief, and fit can outweigh tradition and national brand. For Ohio State, it’s back to the board. For SMU, it’s a victory that could signal the beginning of something bigger.
