Ohio State Football Head Coach Ryan Day
Ohio State Misses on Four-Star OT Adam Guthrie as Clemson Lands Commitment
The Ohio State Buckeyes are still searching for their first offensive line commitment in the 2026 recruiting class, and that wait continues. Four-star offensive tackle Adam Guthrie, one of Ohio State’s key targets, has announced his commitment to Clemson, choosing the Tigers over the Buckeyes, Penn State, and several other top programs.
On3’s Steven Wiltfong first reported Guthrie’s decision, noting that the highly touted lineman ultimately opted to play for Dabo Swinney’s program despite interest from multiple powerhouse programs. In addition to Ohio State and Penn State, Guthrie held offers from Georgia, Miami, Oregon, Auburn, and Texas A&M.
A Big Loss for Ohio State’s O-Line Recruiting
The 6-foot-7, 285-pound lineman from Miami Trace High School in Washington Court House, Ohio, is ranked as the No. 20 offensive tackle in the 2026 class, according to the 247Sports composite rankings. He’s also considered the No. 10 overall prospect in Ohio and a top-250 recruit nationally. Losing a highly ranked in-state lineman to an out-of-state program—especially a perennial contender like Clemson—is a setback for Ryan Day and his staff.
While the Buckeyes have made strong early progress in the 2026 class, offensive line recruiting remains a work in progress. Ohio State currently has four verbal commitments for 2026, highlighted by four-star wide receivers Chris Henry Jr. and Jaeden Ricketts. They’ve also secured commitments from cornerback Jakob Weatherspoon and tight end Corbyn Fordham. However, adding top-tier talent in the trenches is critical for future success, and missing out on Guthrie only increases the urgency to land a blue-chip offensive lineman.
BREAKING: A huge weekend at Clemson off to a fast start with the commitment of four-star OL Adam Guthrie. The blue-chipper chose the Tigers over Penn State, Ohio State and others: https://t.co/7ShVIROoo9 pic.twitter.com/YOavyIaCGX
— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong_) March 7, 2025
What’s Next for Ohio State?
Ohio State has plenty of time to make up ground, but Guthrie’s commitment is a reminder of the competitive landscape in recruiting. Offensive line coach Justin Frye and the Buckeyes’ staff will need to pivot quickly to other targets as they look to build their 2026 class. With the Buckeyes aiming to maintain their dominance in the Big Ten and on the national stage, securing elite talent up front remains a top priority.
For now, Guthrie is off the board, but Ohio State’s pursuit of top offensive linemen is far from over.
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