Ohio State’s Recruiting Boom or Bust: Examining Player Development at a Powerhouse Program

Ohio State football is synonymous with recruiting dominance. Year after year, the Buckeyes land top-tier talent, consistently ranking among the top five recruiting classes nationally. Yet, despite this overwhelming success on the recruiting trail, critics argue that Ohio State’s development of talent lags behind its ability to attract it.

The common claim? Ohio State doesn’t truly develop players—rather, the Buckeyes excel at bringing in “ready-made” stars and placing them under the brightest national spotlight. The argument follows that the program does an exceptional job of marketing its elite prospects but quietly brushes aside those who fail to pan out.

So, is Ohio State a true developmental powerhouse, or is it a program that thrives on talent accumulation while leaving behind high-profile recruiting busts? Let’s take a deeper look.

The Recruiting Machine: Attracting Elite Talent

There’s no denying Ohio State’s recruiting dominance. Over the last decade, the Buckeyes have been a fixture in the top 5 of recruiting rankings, often securing blue-chip prospects at an absurd rate. Head coaches from Urban Meyer to Ryan Day have maintained Ohio State as a talent factory, routinely signing five-star recruits and top-ranked positional players.

Some of the program’s biggest recruiting wins in recent memory include:

• Quinn Ewers (QB, No. 1 overall recruit in 2021) – Left after one year, transferred to Texas.
• Zach Harrison (DE, No. 1 DE in 2019) – Solid player but didn’t reach elite expectations.
• Julian Fleming (WR, No. 1 WR in 2020) – Never emerged as the top receiver despite the hype.

These were players considered “can’t-miss” prospects, but their careers at Ohio State didn’t necessarily reflect that elite billing.

This trend raises a key question: Are these recruiting wins actually wins if players fail to meet expectations?

Does Ohio State Develop Talent, or Just Showcase It?

A common argument against Ohio State’s player development is that the program’s biggest success stories are guys who would have thrived anywhere.

Take recent first-round picks like C.J. Stroud, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and Marvin Harrison Jr.—all elite talents in their own right. But were they truly developed by Ohio State, or were they simply so skilled that any program could have showcased them?

The Case for Development:

• Justin Fields (QB) – Transferred from Georgia, refined his mechanics, and became a top NFL Draft pick.
• Terry McLaurin (WR) – A three-star recruit who developed into an NFL standout.
• DaVon Hamilton (DT) – Overlooked early in his career, became an NFL-caliber player.

The Case Against Development:

• Quinn Ewers (QB) – Barely saw the field before leaving for Texas.
• Jack Miller (QB) – Transferred after failing to develop.
• Tate Martell (QB) – Never became a viable college starter.

While Ohio State has certainly helped some players grow, the argument persists that the Buckeyes don’t take average players and turn them into stars the way schools like Alabama, Georgia, or even Michigan do.

What Happens to the Busts?

Ohio State’s recruiting reputation means its high-profile busts often get forgotten in favor of celebrating its five-star success stories.

When a five-star player like Nick Bosa, Chase Young, or Jaxon Smith-Njigba pans out, it overshadows players like:

• Jaelen Gill (WR, 2018) – A highly ranked receiver who barely contributed before transferring.
• Mitch Trubisky (QB, 2013) – An Ohio native who Ohio State overlooked, only for him to develop into an NFL Draft pick at North Carolina.
• Dwan Mathis (QB, 2019) – Flipped from OSU to Georgia, then fizzled out.

Ohio State’s model relies on winning big on the recruiting trail, knowing that even if a few players don’t pan out, the ones that do will keep the Buckeyes at the top of the national conversation.

How Does Ohio State Compare to Other Powerhouses?

Programs like Alabama and Georgia have built a reputation for developing raw prospects into NFL-caliber players. Many of their recruits redshirt, spend years in the system, and gradually become dominant players.

Ohio State, on the other hand, appears to rely more on immediate-impact players. Their biggest stars—like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Garrett Wilson—were already incredibly polished upon arrival.

• Alabama Example: Josh Jacobs was a three-star recruit but became a first-round NFL Draft pick.
• Georgia Example: Jordan Davis was an unheralded recruit who developed into an elite defensive lineman.
• Ohio State Example: The Buckeyes rarely turn three-stars into first-rounders—they mostly succeed with players who were always elite.

While Ohio State certainly produces NFL talent, it’s fair to ask: Are they making good players great, or just letting great players shine?

The Verdict: A Program Built on Stars, Not Development?

The reality is that Ohio State isn’t bad at developing talent, but it may not be on the level of true development powerhouses like Alabama, Georgia, or even Michigan in recent years.

Ohio State thrives because:
✅ They recruit better than almost anyone
✅ They have a massive national spotlight
✅ They market their players exceptionally well

However, they don’t always turn average players into stars, and when high-profile recruits bust, they fade away quietly.

So, is Ohio State a developmental program or just a great recruiter? The truth likely lies somewhere in the middle. But one thing is certain—if you’re an elite recruit ready to shine, Ohio State will put you in the best possible position to do so. If you’re not? Well, good luck.