There’s something truly compelling about the image of Ryan Day emerging from his office, clipboard in hand, squinting eastward beyond the Big Ten horizon, toward an SEC stronghold. It’s a picture loaded with confidence, ambition, and a belief that Ohio State’s recruiting power isn’t limited to the Midwest; it can—with the right moves—reach into the heart of the deep south, into territory long considered the lifeblood of college football.
Take, for example, the case of Felix Ojo, the No. 7 overall prospect nationally and third‑best offensive tackle in the 247Sports Composite rankings. He hails from Texas, a state that has only elevated to a kind of recruiting monolith. But this past spring, Ohio State has “continued to chase Texas native Felix Ojo and remain heavily in the mix”—a clear indication that Day isn’t just eyeing regional prospects, but is strategically pursuing elite talent in SEC turf There’s intent there; it’s proactive and ambitious.
Another striking example is Maryland’s Zion Elee, the No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2026 per On3, and one of the nation’s top edge rushers. Though he’s currently committed to Maryland, reports show he has five official visits planned—including stops at Auburn, Texas A&M, South Carolina, Penn State, and yes, Ohio State Day and his staff are not waiting for players to come to them—they’re knocking on the doors of recruits entrenched in SEC territory, offering an alternative vision of college football life in Columbus.
Even federally distant from tradition, there’s momentum. The Buckeyes have built a national infrastructure of NIL collectives, media, facilities investment, and player development resources that rivals the elite, and during the spring they unleashed a $12 million campaign—fortified by boosters and NIL groups—to expand their national pull. Flips of five‑star talents once committed to Georgia, Alabama, and Texas are evidence of this elevated reach: quarterback Jalen Thompson flipped from Alabama, edge rusher Malik Greer from Georgia, wide receiver Zion Ricks from Texas, all joining the 2026 class. It’s Celtics‑veteran‑level savvy on the recruiting circuit—knowing how to strike where it hurts and in the open market (upchelsea).
The recent high‑profile visit by five‑star running back David Gabriel Georges of Chattanooga, Tennessee—territory that certainly dips into traditional SEC reach—further cements this. He was among the top recruits in attendance at Ohio State’s season opener weekend, and though schools like Alabama, Georgia, and Texas are still in the mix, the energy from the visit “further cemented Ohio State’s position in his recruitment” (Land-Grant Holy Land). That Ohio State is even drawing elite Tennessee talent to Columbus speaks to Day’s strategic conversions of SEC territory.
It’s not just offensive line or running back. In recruiting circles, perhaps the canary in the recruiting coal mine is safety Bralan Womack—a true five‑star safety—and multiple insiders still consider Ohio State “the team to beat,” thanks to how Day’s staff organizes defensive visits and the way the program emphasizes safeties in its schemes, while showcasing modern blueprint players like Caleb Downs, who was a unanimous All‑American last season (Sportskeeda). All while Auburn appears to be a strong contender (College Sports Network). But that Ohio State remains firmly in the conversation—even if Womack is leaning toward Auburn—demonstrates that Day doesn’t just wait for recruits to approach; he competes for them directly, even within traditional SEC lines.
One might wonder how this aggressive reach blends with his statement that Ohio State still wants “the right fit” above all else when it comes to quarterback and prospect selection—indicating that Day balances ambition with a focus on fit and cultural alignment (Eleven Warriors). It’s not a shotgun approach; it’s calculated.
Yet this drive is yielding results. Ohio State’s 2025 signing class featured top-tier talent including quarterback Tavien St. Clair, cornerback Devin Sanchez—both five‑stars—and the program continued to sign elite recruits like wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and others across multiple states
And the effect on the national recruiting landscape is becoming visceral. There are flips, high‑stakes NIL offers, shuttle visits, and the messaging is clear: Ohio State isn’t going to stand by while the SEC drafts regional walls. They’re going over and around them.
Already, in public conversation, this shift hasn’t gone unnoticed. In forums like Reddit, fans point to Day’s fruits: “Ohio State has recruited 11 five‑star QBs since 2000, 8 in the Ryan Day era… That’s 8 five‑star QBs in 7 years,” observing how consistent elite quarterback recruiting provides a feed-forward cycle for future excellence (Reddit). Others marvel at his national brand recognition; one fan put it succinctly: “Yes. Recruiting, outside OL, isn’t much of an issue. Of course, his staff deserves a lot of the credit… Another coach could come in … to reel in more of the top talent, it will take some good recruiters. We’ve been good for so long, your logo still holds a lot of weight”
Though there are debates—some lament weak development in trenches or question Day’s “right fit” insistence—these are rarely linked to his greater strategy of chasing top talent in all corners of the country. On the contrary, the structural shift is real, visible, and increasingly impactful.
So is it fair to say “Ryan Day is going right at an SEC program to try and land a five‑star player from their territory”? Yes—this is not hypothetical; it’s happening. Ohio State is stepping into the recruitment of elite SEC‑geography players, arming themselves in a broader recruiting war that now spans coast to coast.
Over the past year or so, the combination of NIL infrastructure, elite recruiting branding, proactive scheduling of official visits, and assertive interest in SEC region five‑stars such as Tyler Felix Ojo (Texas), Zion Elee (DMV—but still with SEC visits planned), and David Gabriel Georges (Tennessee), demonstrates a clear strategy of expansion—and of stepping directly into the territory of powerhouse programs.
Ryan Day isn’t just playing defense here; he wants to expand the perimeter, he wants to go toe‑to‑toe. In the high‑stakes world of 2020s college football recruiting, that’s exactly the kind of boldness that separates contenders from pretenders.
Let me know if you want me to expand any thread or spotlight a particular recruit or program in this dynamic landscape.
