Felix Ojo isn’t just another name on the college football recruiting boards. He’s the kind of player who generates buzz even before stepping onto a college field. With fans, media, and coaches closely watching the Lake Ridge High School prospect, he’s made a major announcement that’s sending ripples through the recruitment landscape. Intrigued? You should be. Because what’s unfolding could very well shake up the strategies of several major coaching staffs.
Ojo, standing tall at 6’7” and weighing in at 274 lbs, has been a prime target for Ohio State. And now, the 5-star OT has signaled a major shift, scheduling an official visit to Columbus on May 30th, following his visit there between April 10th and 11th. This move, revealed through his recent social media posts, has certainly raised eyebrows. Well, it all comes down to the ‘family vibes’ and ‘home vibes.’
“What excites me about the Buckeyes is the opportunity to play early and the family atmosphere of the program. I’ve seen the campus facilities and pretty much everything Columbus has to offer. They compare pretty high, and I feel I would fit in well with the team and coaches. I will say the family atmosphere and how they really see the players as family is what makes the place special,” Ojo stated.
I’ll be at Ohio State April 10th-11th @TylerBowen @mjohnson7672 @Coach_Dickey @N_Murph @brianhartline @ryandaytime @CoachJordan82 @CoachFess @CoachKee @Locklyn33 pic.twitter.com/T4AfGTqMgA
— Felix Ojo (@FelixTheOL) April 8, 2025
He holds offers from an impressive list of schools, including Florida State, Alabama, Texas, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas A&M, USC, Notre Dame, Georgia, Penn State, Auburn, Tennessee, Nebraska, and Duke. However, he seems to be leaning towards Ohio State, feeling like a high priority for them. Who wouldn’t want to join a national championship-caliber team? But the feeling seems to be mutual; even a couple of months back, Ojo hinted in an On3 interview at the interest he was getting from Day and the Buckeyes.
“What stands out about Ohio State is the culture and how much of a priority I am for them. Especially when Coach [Justin] Frye left, the whole offensive staff called me that morning, letting me know that they’re going to find someone new quickly and that I’m still a top priority,” Felix Ojo said.
Ryan Day and his staff have a strong track record of recruiting top-tier offensive linemen in recent years, and Ojo has the potential to be their next elite offensive tackle. This would be a significant addition for the Buckeyes, who have already secured commitments from six blue-chip recruits since March 10th, including four-star tackles Maxwell Riley and Sam Greer, and three-star lineman Tucker Smith, among others. The potential arrival of Ojo, the No. 2 offensive tackle and No. 7 overall player in the 2026 class, could solidify their roster as a true powerhouse.
Interestingly, Ojo was also scheduled to visit Notre Dame but cancelled that trip. What prompted this shift towards the Buckeyes? A sudden change of plans. A cancelled visit. And two major programs left wondering what went wrong.
The battle for Felix Ojo
Being a Texas native, many considered Ojo to be leaning toward the Longhorns. However, the momentum now seems to be with the Scarlet and Gray. Beyond the family-like atmosphere and campus facilities at Ohio State, the commitment of Tyler Bowen, the new offensive line coach for the Buckeyes, appears to have been a key factor in Ojo’s change of heart. “Since Day 1 when Bowen got there, I’ve felt like a priority.” Now that one sounds like trouble for Sark and Co.
The Texas Longhorns have been actively trying to secure this blue-chip recruit. The On3 prediction model even gave them a high 92% chance of landing Ojo. However, this is proving to be a challenging recruitment. Throughout the process, two schools, Notre Dame under Marcus Freeman and the Texas Longhorns led by Steve Sarkisian, had seemingly separated themselves from the other 49 schools that offered Ojo. Now, the race seems to be narrowing, with Texas taking a significant step forward. As for Notre Dame, Ojo has called off his visit. “I will no longer be visiting Notre Dame on the 10th,” Ojo announced, with the reason for this cancellation still unclear. This development certainly isn’t positive news for Freeman and his program.
It seems Felix Ojo’s recruitment journey has evolved beyond a simple decision; it’s become a strategic battle between elite programs, where every move carries significant weight. The game plans for both Freeman and Sarkisian have become more complex. And for the Buckeyes? The momentum seems to be building with each passing day. One thing is certain: whoever lands Ojo will be adding more than just impressive size and skill to their roster. So, whether you’re a Longhorns, Buckeyes, or Irish fan, stay tuned…
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