Ohio State Pushing to Land ‘Must-Get’ Playmaker Over Rival
The Ohio State Buckeyes previously added a commitment from five-star wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. Now, the Buckeyes are targeting another Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana (Calif) standout.
Henry ranks as the No. 2 wide receiver and 14th as an overall prospect in the 2026 recruiting class, according to On3. Now, the Buckeyes are pushing to also add his teammate.
Four-star wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt has been extended an offer by Brian Hartline, the Buckeyes new offensive coordinator. The latest college football news indicates Ohio State has made a serious impression potentially overtaking Oregon Ducks as the new favorite to land the 2026 prospect.
“I was told following his visit to Ohio State today that the Buckeyes are now No. 1 on his list and Oregon is now No. 2,” Rivals’ Adam Gorney wrote on Monday. “The Ducks had been the frontrunner heading into this visit for the Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei standout.”
Wyatt has received 30 total offers, including Ohio State, out of which the Oregon holds a 79.7% chance to land the standout, per On3’s projections.
Ohio State views Dixon-Wyatt as a “must-get player” as the Buckeyes look to land the star over one of the program’s Big Ten foes.
“Oregon had been the program to beat in Dixon-Wyatt’s recruitment but after spending time in Columbus over the last few days, Ohio State has moved to the top,” Gorney added. “The four-star receiver from Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei got a clear message from coach Ryan Day and position coach Brian Hartling: That he’s a must-get player.”
Projected Ohio State Starting Quarterback Revealed Amid Latest News
Will Howard battled through adversity last season to lead the Ohio State Buckeyes to the College Football Playoff, leading the Buckeyes to a national championship, and he’s off to the NFL now. One of the most important tasks for head coach Ryan Day and the coaching staff this offseason is to find his successor, and there wasn’t a sure-fire winner entering the spring. Ohio State added former five-star recruit and Alabama quarterback Julian Sayin from the transfer portal before last season, adding a potential quarterback of the future, and he appears to be in the pole position to enter the 2025 season as the starter at the midway point of spring ball. Spencer Holbrook of Letterman Row reported in a recent offensive depth chart update that Sayin currently has the edge over fellow quarterbacks Lincoln Kienholz and Tavien St. Clair. “Sayin still leads the Ohio State quarterback battle, while Kienholz looks better than he has in past spring practice periods,” Holbrook wrote. “That battle will be one we’re watching closely as the spring hits its half-way point.” Sayin – a 6-foot-1, 203-pound quarterback from Carlsbad, Calif. – was one of the top recruits in the class of 2024, earning universal five-star status. He initially committed to Alabama over offers from just about every major program in the country.
He left Alabama after former head coach Nick Saban retired and arrived in time for spring ball as a true freshman last season. In four appearances last season, he completed 5-of-12 pass attempts for 84 yards and a touchdown – including a 55-yard touchdown toss to Bennett Christian against Western Michigan. Sayin was prolific at Carlsbad High, throwing for 7,824 passing yards with 85 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions. If Sayin does eventually win the starting job, he will benefit from a wide receiving corps that features superstar sophomore Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss and Bryson Rodgers.
