Ohio State Commit Makes Bold Statement About His Decision to Join the Buckeyes Following the NFL Draft
By Mary John, April 30, 2025
In the wake of a historic NFL Draft weekend for the Ohio State Buckeyes, one of the program’s most high-profile commitments isn’t just reaffirming his decision—he’s doubling down with a message that’s reverberating across college football.
Five-star wide receiver Jaylen Harris, the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class and a surefire future first-rounder himself, delivered a statement on social media and in a post-draft interview that sent Buckeye Nation into a frenzy:
“The NFL Draft just confirmed everything I already knew: Ohio State is the best place in America to become a pro. Period. That’s why I committed, and that’s why I’m staying.”
Harris’ bold words come after Ohio State once again cemented itself as a pipeline to the NFL, producing eight draft picks, including three first-round selections. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka was taken No. 12 overall, continuing the Buckeyes’ wide receiver dominance that has spanned from Michael Thomas to Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Marvin Harrison Jr. over the past decade.
For Harris, who had offers from Alabama, Georgia, USC, and Texas, the NFL Draft was not just validation of his college choice—but a public opportunity to plant a flag.
The moment Harris committed to Ohio State in January, analysts and insiders were struck by both the timing and conviction of his decision. Unlike many top-tier recruits who wait deep into their senior year or even flip late, Harris shut down his recruitment early.
Now, after watching his future program flood the draft board once again, his rationale is clearer than ever.
“It’s not just that Ohio State gets guys drafted. It’s that they prepare you to be a pro. To handle the spotlight. To walk into an NFL locker room and already know what to expect,” Harris said in an interview with 247Sports.
Harris, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 205 pounds, is already being called a “prototype Buckeye receiver.” He trains with former OSU greats in the offseason and has built close ties with current stars like Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith, who many believe will be the next to follow in Harrison’s footsteps.
There’s a strong argument that no program in the country has matched Ohio State in producing elite wide receiver talent over the last decade. Since 2016, no school has had more receivers taken in the top 15 of the NFL Draft.
In 2024, Marvin Harrison Jr. became the first wideout taken and was viewed as one of the most NFL-ready prospects in years. In 2025, Emeka Egbuka and Julian Fleming joined the first-round tradition, reinforcing the perception that Brian Hartline, OSU’s wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator, is the best in the nation at his job.
Jaylen Harris agrees.
“Coach Hartline is different. He’s a technician. He played in the league. He knows what it takes. But more than that, he makes us better men. That’s rare,” Harris said.
“When I watched the draft and saw Emeka go in the first, I smiled. I’ve trained with him. I know what it took. And I know what’s coming next—for me, too.”
Harris also shouted out Hartline on Instagram the night of the draft, posting a photo of Hartline with the caption: “You build legends. I’m next.”
Harris’ comments weren’t made in a vacuum. In fact, they’re already having an impact.
Within hours of his post-draft message, two other top-100 prospects posted cryptic Buckeye-themed graphics, while another five-star—defensive end Tyreek Morgan out of Virginia—reshared Harris’ message with a “👀” emoji and the words, “You might be right, fam.”
Recruiting insiders believe Harris’ public affirmation of his commitment, and his vocal confidence in OSU’s NFL development pipeline, could be a turning point in a recruiting cycle where the Buckeyes are battling Alabama, Georgia, and Florida State for the No. 1 overall class.
“Ohio State already had momentum, but what Harris just did was take a flamethrower to the doubts some elite guys still had,” said Rivals analyst Mike Farrell. “He basically said: ‘You want to go pro? Come to Columbus.’ And who can argue with him after this draft?”
The Buckeyes currently have the No. 2 class nationally for 2025, behind only Alabama. But with several top targets still uncommitted—and Ohio State’s spring game and summer visit season approaching—the table is set for a run to the top.
Jaylen Harris hasn’t even enrolled at Ohio State yet, but coaches say he’s already acting like a leader.
“Jaylen is mature beyond his years,” said Corey Dennis, Ohio State’s quarterbacks coach. “He’s vocal, he’s focused, and he holds others accountable. The draft didn’t surprise him—it confirmed what he’s been saying since day one.”
Multiple reports say Harris has been instrumental in peer-recruiting efforts, hosting group chats with other elite commits and targets, and even FaceTiming recruits during OSU games and practices.
“Jaylen isn’t just coming to play ball,” said one source close to the team. “He’s coming to build a legacy.”
And according to Harris himself, that legacy includes winning a national championship before he goes pro.
“The Buckeyes are going to win a natty before I leave,” Harris said. “I want to be a part of that. Not just to make it to the league, but to make history here first.”
While Harris is focused on the college level for now, he’s not shy about his NFL dreams. And again, he points to the draft results as a roadmap.
“This isn’t a game to me. This is a plan. I’ve seen what Chris Olave did. I’ve seen what Garrett Wilson did. I’ve studied Marvin [Harrison Jr.] for years. I know the level, and I know the grind,” he said.
Scouts already compare Harris to A.J. Green in terms of body type and vertical ability. His high school coach says he’s “the most NFL-ready receiver I’ve coached since DeAndre Hopkins.” Harris clocked a verified 4.43 40-yard dash last summer and has a 38-inch vertical.
But it’s not just raw numbers that make him special—it’s the way he’s embracing Ohio State’s developmental culture.
“There are a lot of talented kids,” Hartline said. “Jaylen is different because he wants to be coached hard. He wants the challenge. And that’s what we do here.”
Harris’ post-draft comments also highlight a broader shift in how recruits are making decisions in the NIL era. While many elite prospects weigh immediate NIL opportunities or easier depth charts, Harris has taken a different approach—betting on development and NFL readiness.
“The NIL bag will fade. The league lasts,” Harris said. “Get paid now or get paid forever? I made my choice.”
It’s a sentiment increasingly shared among top recruits. Even amid wild NIL valuations and promises from collectives, Ohio State has remained consistent: development over flash. And Harris has emerged as the face of that philosophy.
“Jaylen just gave every five-star a blueprint: go where the pros go, and where you’ll be ready when your time comes,” said ESPN’s Tom Luginbill.
Harris is expected to enroll early in January, but he’ll return to Columbus this summer for unofficial visits and recruiting events. He plans to attend OSU’s Friday Night Lights camp and serve as an ambassador during the Buckeye Bash.
Meanwhile, his message continues to ripple across social media and within recruiting circles. Already a top name, Harris may now be Ohio State’s most influential recruiter—aside from Ryan Day himself.
As the 2025 NFL Draft concluded, and Buckeye draftees celebrated their new pro homes, Jaylen Harris saw more than a celebration. He saw a vision—his own.
“That’s going to be me one day,” he said. “And I’m going to remember that it started the day I chose Ohio State.”
“Some people commit and keep looking. I committed and locked in. I’m all in. Buckeye for life.”
Jaylen Harris’ bold declaration after the 2025 NFL Draft isn’t just a soundbite—it’s a reflection of the cultural shift at Ohio State, where NFL dreams and college excellence go hand in hand.
By aligning himself with a program that has made wide receiver stardom routine, Harris has made it clear that his goals are bigger than hype. He’s chasing greatness—and doing it in scarlet and gray.
As the Buckeyes continue to reload and push for another College Football Playoff run, it’s voices like Harris’ that may make the difference—not just in recruiting rankings, but in the locker room, on the scoreboard, and eventually, on draft night.
