The Buckeyes continue to dominate the recruiting trail, this time with 2026 tight end Nick Lautar. The Lebanon, OH, native flipped his commitment from Louisville.
Lautar becomes the 27th member of the Ohio State 2026 recruiting class. The Buckeyes place 7th nationally in the recruiting rankings. Lautar is the lone tight end in the class following the recommitment from Corbyn Fordham.
Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 230 pounds, Lautar brings size and physicality to this Buckeyes offense. A postseason qualifier in wrestling, Lautar’s strength comes in the blocking game. He finished his junior season with 23 catches, for 267 yards, and 3 touchdowns.
Tight ends coach Keenan Bailey has utilized his tight ends in many different ways this season and throughout his Ohio State tenure. Will Kacmarek and Bennett Christian have carried the bulk of the production in the blocking game, while Purdue transfer Max Klare is utilized more in the receiving game. But a new concept has come about in Columbus in the use of a fullback. Freshman tight end Nate Roberts assumes his role in the backfield and has been utilized in the offense despite being a freshman.
Keenan Bailey has moved up the ranks very quickly in the Ohio State program and continues to use his incredible football mind to help the Buckeyes on Saturdays. Now in his 8th season with the team, Bailey started his tenure as a quality control coach and worked with Justin Frye on the offensive line. Bailey was the then promoted to the tight ends coach in 2023. His hard work paid off when he was named to the 247Sports 30 under 30 list. Bailey has worked very hard to create a better football team in Columbus and will continue to make an impact for a very long time.
2026 4-star EDGE Dre Quinn has committed to Ohio State. Quinn was previously committed to Clemson. Quinn currently attends Buford High School, a powerhouse that has seen a long line of Division 1 athletes, including Ohio State defensive lineman Eddrick Houston. Quinn finished his junior season with 22 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. […]
Stephen Leonard
Writer
Jeremiah Smith wasn’t dominating defenders as usual; he was dominating the pregame buzz. Listed as questionable, his status sent shockwaves through the Buckeye faithful. Compounding the worries, his counterpart on the other side of the hash marks, Carnell Tate, was held out for a second week in a row. Turned out Smith played sparingly, and […]
2027 4-star safety Eli Johnson has committed to Ohio State, according to Hayes Fawcett. The Texas native chose the Buckeyes over Oklahoma, Texas, and Michigan. Johnson ranks as the No. 114 overall recruit and the No. 14 overall safety in the class of 2027. Johnson, who was in Columbus for a gameday visit, announced his […]
