Recruiting Outlook: Top 2026 Targets Set Commitment Dates

Both the top running back and the No. 2 interior offensive lineman in the 2026 recruiting class will commit before the college football season officially begins.

Five-star running back Savion Hiter’s commitment date is set for Aug. 19, and five-star lineman Darius Gray will announce his pledge just three days later on Aug. 22.

NEWS: Five-Star IOL Darius Gray will announce his Commitment August 22nd, he tells me for @rivals

The No. 1 IOL in the ‘26 Class will choose between Clemson, LSU, Ohio State, South Carolina, & Tennessee

Where Should He Go? ⬇️https://t.co/IzBo6ymbmE pic.twitter.com/Dkm5w3a2rK

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 26, 2025

NEWS: Five-Star RB Savion Hiter will announce his Commitment August 19th, he tells me for @rivals

The No. 1 RB in the ‘26 Class will choose between Michigan, Ohio State, Georgia, & Tennessee

Where Should He Go? https://t.co/xTZSfuJReN pic.twitter.com/AqluyaVZWN

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 25, 2025

Hiter is the No. 9 player in the country and has a top four of Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State and Tennessee. The Louisa County High School back took official visits to each of those programs, making it to Columbus the weekend of May 30.

It seems like the Buckeyes would have some ground to make up with the Volunteers and Wolverines looking like the two more likely destinations for Hiter. After bringing in three running backs in the 2025 class, Anthony Rogers , Bo Jackson and Isaiah West, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see OSU stick with just only in-state four-star Favour Akih in the cycle.

Gray, the No. 30 player in the country, will choose between Clemson, LSU, Ohio State, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Offensive line coach Tyler Bowen has already done pretty well in the 2026 cycle for the Buckeyes despite getting on the trail late, but he does have a relationship with Gray that dates back to his time as the offensive coordinator for Virginia Tech.

Gray would be a huge addition to the class, but even if he winds up elsewhere, the four of Sam Greer, Maxwell Riley, Aaron Thomas and Tucker Smith have the Buckeyes off to a great start with the O-line group.