Recruiting Outlook: Commitment Dates Approaching For Two Buckeye Targets

Photo Via @DerrekCooper80 on Twitter

Ohio State has already gained a commitment from Fort Wayne (Ind.) Northrop four-star wide receiver Jerquaden Guilford (6-2, 190) this weekend and is looking to continue to add to its 2026 class over the next seven days, when a couple of targets announce their commitments.

Also committing this weekend is Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade Madonna five-star running back Derrek Cooper (6-1, 205). Cooper, a former high school teammate of current Ohio State star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, will announce his decision at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday and is considering the Buckeyes among a list of schools that also includes Georgia, Florida State, Miami and Texas.

Although Cooper visited Ohio State as recently as June 20, Texas is viewed as the favorite to land his services.

If he commits, Cooper would surpass Delaware (Ohio) Rutherford B. Hayes four-star Favour Akih (6-0, 190) as the highest-ranked running back in the Buckeyes’ 2026 class.

Six days after Cooper makes his decision, fellow Ohio State target, Sarasota (Fla.) Cardinal Mooney four-star interior offensive lineman Da’Ron Parks (6-5, 350) will announce his commitment.

Like Cooper, Parks visited Ohio State on June 20 and is deciding between Ohio State and four other schools, including Auburn, Georgia, Florida State and Kentucky.

As it stands, the offensive line is one of the biggest strengths of Ohio State’s 2026 class. The Buckeyes have already gained commitments from Akron (Ohio) Archbishop Hoban four-star offensive tackle Sam Greer (6-8, 315), Avon Lake (Ohio) four-star offensive tackle Maxwell Riley (6-5, 280), Phoenix, Mountain Pointe three-star offensive tackle Aaron Thomas (6-7, 300) and Glendale (Az.) Sandra Day O’Connor three-star offensive lineman Tucker Smith (6-5, 280).