Despite the Buckeyes being fresh off a national championship, they have a lot of work to do in their 2026 recruiting class. More specifically at the QB position. Last month, they made a few visits to top targets all over the country. And, despite a recent promotion to QB coach, Billy Fessler has some work to do. This is a crucial time for finding prospects as we move towards the heavy spring and summer recruiting period. This is a dive into where the Buckeye’s 2026 Class stands at the QB position.

The Skinny

Despite going into their backyard in the 2025 recruiting class and landing one of the best QBs in the country, that being Tavien St.Clair, Ohio State has now set their eyes on finding a 2026 QB. Another factor to consider is the Buckeyes hold a verbal commitment from 2027 five-star Brady Edmunds. But, they’ve already missed out on one of the top QBs in the 2026 class, that being five-star Jared Curtis. At one point the Buckeyes were one of the favorites in his recruitment. But, to keep it short and simple, the Buckeyes won’t land Curtis. He is looking at Oregon and Georgia and will take visits to only those two schools. They also are out of the mix for now on four-star Brady Smigiel. That was because Chip Kelly left Ohio State to be the next offensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders.

Oklahoma Commitment Four-Star Jaden O’Neal

Despite being committed to the Sooners, I think this is one to keep an eye on. Oklahoma recently brought in a new offensive coordinator, but that’s not the problem. The potential problem for O’Neal’s commitment is the fact that Oklahoma is targeting another four-star QB in Texas native Bowe Bentley. Very rarely do you see a program even hold two QB commitments, especially two four-stars. The Buckeyes should and could get back involved with O’Neal. One team has recently started to ramp up with O’Neal is Georgia. Time will tell with what unfolds in Norman but it wouldn’t hurt for Ohio State to try to get back into the mix for an elite play caller.

Four-Star Bowe Bentley

Already mentioned above, but the Texas signal-caller is set to get a look at Ohio State this spring. He is set to be in Columbus on March 19th. Bentley is a very dynamic playmaker and uses his legs to just elevate his playmaking ability. The new staff at Oklahoma likes Bentley, and he’s slowly become one of the Sooners’ top targets. He also has stops at Oklahoma, LSU, Florida State, and Georgia Tech set for this spring. The Buckeyes could quickly get involved for the Texas native. New Ohio State quarterbacks coach Billy Fessler was also the one who extended the offer to Bentley. This is one to keep an eye on for the Buckeyes.

 

Four-Star Derek Zammit

The New Jersey QB has started to have a blow-up in his recruitment after receiving an offer from Alabama. Ohio State could be next in line, but I could see the offer coming after a camp visit. Zammit also played with Ohio State signees WR De’Zie Jones and DB Deshawn Stewart Jr. Some schools already involved include Alabama, North Carolina, Illinois, Virginia, Missippissi State, and others. Expect Zammit to be in Columbus sometime this spring, and possibly even a camp. He could realistically be who Ohio State ends up with, but he currently does not hold an offer from Ohio State.

Four-Star Matt Ponatoski

The 2024 MaxPreps Ohio Player of the Year could certainly change things at Ohio State. Rarely do you see a dual sport athlete at Ohio State, but Ponatoski is one of the best baseball prospects in the country. There have been talks with the Ohio State baseball staff and Ponatoski, and maybe even the football side as well if he decides to play both sports in college.. He’s got a good group of schools with good baseball programs in the mix, like Texas A&M, Kentucky, and others. A little side note, he was offered by Virginia Tech by new Ohio State OL Coach Tyler Bowen. Despite that, there’s not a good shot we see Ponatoski get the offer. But if it were to happen, he could easily become one of the top players for Justin Haire’s baseball program.

Three-Star Nathan Bernhard

The Ohio native has been talked about and in contact with Ohio State for quite some time. Bernhard could be one of those Ohio guys that work to earn the offer. After a phenomenal junior season, Bernhard is one of the best players in the state. Now if he gets the Ohio State offer, only time will tell on that part. Bernhard put up an impressive stat line for his junior season. He was 181/299 and threw for 2,895 passing yards, 24 TDs, and 4 INTs. He also had 206 carries for 1,221 rushing yards and 22 TDs. Many schools in the mix for the 6’6 QB.

Three-Star Brady Palmer

The Buckeyes were heavily involved early on in his recruitment and were even the perceived leaders at one point. But since then, things have been quiet for Palmer. Utah seems like a school to watch, but the Buckeyes could circle back to the California QB. Will that happen though? There is not a great chance, but you never know. Palmer was very high on Ohio State early in his recruitment. Realistically, Ohio State most likely won’t circle back to Palmer. But it is most definitely worth noting.