Ohio State’s 2025 recruiting cycle is gaining momentum as four-star safety DeShawn Stewart and receiver De’zie Jones have recently committed to the Buckeyes. They join four-star defensive lineman London Merritt and linebacker Tarvos Alford as the latest additions to the team. Stewart and Jones are teammates at DePaul Catholic in Wayne, New Jersey. Stewart, ranked No. 284 in the 247Sports Composite, chose Ohio State over Penn State, Michigan State, and Cincinnati. Meanwhile, Jones, ranked No. 367, also chose the Buckeyes over Penn State, Michigan State, and Florida.
This recent development has been a boon for Ohio State’s recruiting efforts. The Buckeyes are vying for the top spot in the 2025 class rankings, and with the addition of Stewart and Jones, they have surged to No. 2 in the 247Sports Composite class rankings. Stewart’s commitment is particularly significant as he is the first commitment for new safeties coach Matt Guerrieri. Ohio State’s secondary has also secured commitments from top-100 corners Na’eem Offord, Devin Sanchez, and Blake Woodby.
Despite these commitments, Ohio State’s pursuit of five-star corner Dorian Brew and top-ranked safety Trey McNutt remains unchanged. The Buckeyes will continue to prioritize these players in their recruiting efforts.
In terms of offensive commitments, Jones joins four-star quarterback Tavien St. Clair and four-star offensive tackle Carter Lowe as the team’s offensive recruits. However, four-star receiver Jayvan Boggs recently decommitted from Ohio State.
With these recent additions, Ohio State now has a total of 11 commitments for the 2025 class, with eight of them on the defensive side of the ball. This reflects the team’s focus on building a strong defense for the future.
Overall, Ohio State’s recruiting efforts for the 2025 cycle are off to an impressive start. With the addition of Stewart and Jones, the Buckeyes have strengthened their roster and are well on their way to securing a top-ranked recruiting class. The team’s pursuit of top prospects in both offense and defense shows their commitment to building a well-rounded team for the future.