Ohio State Surges to the Top for Five-Star Defensive End Following Spring Visit

COLUMBUS, OH — When it comes to building championship-caliber rosters, Ohio State has never shied away from making splash moves on the recruiting trail. That trend continued this spring, as the Buckeyes made a massive impression on one of the nation’s top defensive prospects—five-star defensive end Zion Grady out of Enterprise, Alabama—vaulting themselves to the top of his list following a game-changing visit to Columbus.

With offers from virtually every major program in the country, including Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Texas, Oregon, and Florida State, Grady’s recruitment has become one of the most watched in the 2025 cycle. But after a weekend in the Horseshoe, talking to head coach Ryan Day, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, and defensive line coach Larry Johnson, the five-star pass rusher left with clarity—and a new leader.

“I really felt like a priority at Ohio State,” Grady said after the visit. “Coach Johnson broke down exactly how I’d be used. It’s not just talk with them. It’s a plan. And it’s a family.”

That statement, though simple, sent shockwaves across the recruiting landscape. Grady, who is widely considered the top edge rusher in the class, wasn’t just impressed—he was moved.

The spring atmosphere at Ohio State is electric. With the team in full swing during spring practice, recruits get a taste of the program’s intensity, structure, and culture. For Grady, who’s as cerebral as he is explosive on the field, the visit was less about hype and more about substance.

“The way they run things, from the film sessions to practice tempo to recovery and training—it’s all next level,” he noted. “It felt like I was already in the league.”

He spent significant time with Coach Larry Johnson, a legend in his own right, who’s helped mold defensive ends like Chase Young, Joey Bosa, and Nick Bosa into NFL stars. That legacy, Grady said, “speaks volumes.”

“Coach Johnson is one of the greatest ever to do it,” Grady said. “He’s real. There’s no sugarcoating. He tells you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. That’s what I respect.”

It wasn’t just the football side of things that impressed the Alabama native. Grady praised Ohio State’s emphasis on academics, player development, and life after football.

“They’re building complete players,” he said. “It’s more than football, and that stood out.”

Zion Grady is the prototype modern defensive end: 6-foot-5, 240 pounds, with elite bend, burst, and instincts off the edge. At Enterprise High School, he’s dominated every level of competition, totaling 23 sacks and 37 tackles for loss over the past two seasons.

Scouts rave about his first step and relentless motor. He’s a mismatch nightmare for offensive tackles, using a blend of power and finesse to create chaos in the backfield. ESPN ranks him as the No. 1 edge rusher in the 2025 class, while 247Sports has him at No. 3 overall, regardless of position.

Ohio State, which has long prioritized blue-chip defensive linemen, sees Grady as a centerpiece of its future defense. Paired with current Buckeye defensive line commits and returning stars, his addition could elevate the unit into one of the nation’s most feared.

“Zion has the potential to be a top-five pick one day,” said a Big Ten recruiting analyst. “He’s that good. If Ohio State gets him, that’s a statement.”

While Ryan Day runs the show in Columbus, Larry Johnson is the architect of the Buckeyes’ defensive line dominance. His development record is unmatched, producing not only NFL stars but also college All-Americans who thrive in both pass rushing and run-stopping.

For top edge rushers, playing under Johnson has become almost a rite of passage on the way to the NFL. That reputation was not lost on Grady or his inner circle.

“Coach Johnson has receipts,” Grady’s father said. “When he tells you he’ll get your son to the league, it’s not just a promise. It’s backed by years of proof.”

Sources close to Grady say his relationship with Johnson is deeper than football. The two talk regularly, not just about schemes or drills, but life, leadership, and legacy.

“He wants to help me grow as a man,” Grady said. “That’s rare in this process.”

While Larry Johnson handles the trenches, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has reshaped the Buckeyes’ defensive identity. After a rocky start in 2022, Knowles’ unit showed major progress in 2023 and 2024, transforming into one of the most aggressive, flexible defenses in college football.

Knowles is known for unleashing hybrid defenders, edge blitz packages, and creative pressure schemes. For a versatile rusher like Grady, that schematic freedom is attractive.

“Coach Knowles showed me how they’d use me—standing up, hand in the dirt, even dropping into coverage sometimes. I could be a game-wrecker in that system,” Grady said.

Ohio State isn’t alone in the Grady sweepstakes. Alabama, Georgia, and Florida State remain heavily involved, and Grady has official visits planned to all three. Auburn and Texas are also pushing hard, with each school pitching early playing time and NIL opportunities.

But several industry insiders believe Ohio State has seized momentum.

“Grady’s visit wasn’t just a good experience—it was transformative,” said Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports. “They’ve positioned themselves as the team to beat.”

Still, the battle is far from over. Georgia’s defensive prowess, Alabama’s proximity, and FSU’s recent defensive line success all loom large. But the Buckeyes’ early spring move may be the most important chess piece.

As with all elite prospects in the modern era, NIL opportunities are part of the conversation. While Grady hasn’t publicly focused on money, his camp acknowledges it plays a role. Ohio State, through its robust NIL collectives and partnerships, has remained aggressive yet structured.

“They made it clear that the NIL piece is there, but it’s earned,” Grady said. “It’s about performance, consistency, and brand-building—not quick cash.”

Sources say Ohio State’s approach resonated with Grady’s family, who values long-term sustainability over instant gratification. The Buckeyes also emphasized their track record of NFL development, which in turn leads to major endorsement deals post-college.

“You get the bag and the badge at Ohio State,” one source said. “It’s the best of both worlds.”

If Grady were to commit to Ohio State, the impact could ripple across the recruiting landscape. Other top-tier defenders, especially in the Southeast, have been eyeing the Buckeyes. A commitment from Grady could serve as a recruiting magnet for the rest of the class.

Ohio State already holds pledges from several elite defenders in the 2025 cycle, including linebacker Tarvos Alford and safety Faheem Delane. Adding Grady would give the Buckeyes one of the most imposing defensive classes in the nation.

“You land a guy like Zion, and others follow,” said a national recruiting insider. “He’s a program-changer.”

Grady is expected to release a narrowed list in the coming weeks, with five finalists likely. Ohio State is all but guaranteed a spot. Official visits to Georgia, Alabama, and Florida State are set for June. A commitment could come as early as late summer.

Ryan Day and his staff are expected to visit Enterprise later this spring for in-person evaluations and continued relationship-building. The Buckeyes are also working to get Grady back on campus for the summer BBQ in July, a major recruiting event in Columbus.

“It’s not over yet,” Grady said. “But Ohio State gave me a lot to think about.”

Ohio State’s spring visit with Zion Grady was more than just another recruiting pitch—it was a strategic, emotional, and intellectual connection. With one of the most dominant defensive prospects in the country now listing the Buckeyes at the top of his board, Ryan Day’s staff has once again proven why Ohio State remains a juggernaut in both performance and perception.

Grady’s recruitment is still unfolding, but momentum is firmly on the Buckeyes’ side. If they can hold off SEC powers and seal the deal, it would mark one of the biggest recruiting wins of the 2025 cycle—and potentially the next chapter in a defensive legacy that shows no signs of slowing down.