Ohio State · Big TenOhio State schedules Johnson, Hall visits
The No. 1 and No. 5 defensive linemen in the 2028 class are scheduled to attend the Oct. 10 Maryland game.
OCT 6, 2026
Hall’s ranking among 2028 defensive linemen
Johnson’s ranking among 2028 defensive linemen
Ohio State’s 2028 verbal commitments
01 · The NewsOhio State schedules Johnson, Hall visits
Ohio State is scheduled to host the No. 1 and No. 5 defensive linemen in the 2028 class for Saturday, Oct. 10, against Maryland, giving the Buckeyes an early chance to strengthen a recruiting class already ranked No. 1 nationally.
Kellan Hall, the No. 1 defensive lineman and No. 2 overall prospect in the 247Sports Composite, has visited Ohio State multiple times. Jamarcus Johnson ranks No. 5 among defensive linemen and No. 29 nationally. Both are five-star prospects, and both are scheduled to attend the 4:15 p.m. ET game at Ohio Stadium.
Johnson plays for Toombs County in Lyons, Georgia, and ranks No. 4 in the state. His reported offers include Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Oregon, Tennessee and Texas, among others.
Hall plays for Christian Academy of Louisville and ranks No. 1 among Kentucky prospects. He has more than 30 reported scholarship offers and has scheduled visits with Oregon, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Georgia, Texas A&M, Michigan, Texas, Notre Dame and Tennessee.
No school has separated itself in Hall’s recruitment. That makes the Ohio State stop more than a return visit: The Buckeyes have a chance to turn his familiarity with Columbus into early momentum. The visits remain scheduled rather than completed.
The recruiting weekend comes one week after Ohio State beat Iowa 31-14. The Buckeyes enter the Maryland game at 4-1, while the Terrapins are 2-3.
02 · The StakesWhy It Matters
The visits could help Ohio State build an elite 2028 defensive line around five-star edge Jameer Whyce, who is already committed, while helping the Buckeyes hold their place atop the class rankings. Ohio State has five verbal commitments in the cycle.
03 · The Detail Beneath the HeadlineWhat Most People Are Missing
The two visits do not represent the same recruiting task. Hall has already made multiple trips to Columbus, but his itinerary includes nine other schools and his offer total exceeds 30; Oct. 10 is another comparison point in a broad national process. Johnson’s visit gives Ohio State a different opening: The No. 4 player in Georgia is also considering Alabama, Auburn, Georgia and Tennessee among a longer offer list.
With Hall, Ohio State must separate a familiar stop from a crowded itinerary. With Johnson, it must establish traction in a recruitment with several SEC programs identified as early competition.
04 · The Open QuestionsQuestions to Be Answered
Do Hall and Johnson make it to Columbus on Oct. 10?
Both visits remain scheduled, so attendance is the first measurable outcome. Getting both prospects into Ohio Stadium would give the Buckeyes direct access to two top-five defensive linemen during the same recruiting weekend. The game-day visitor list will show whether Ohio State gets that opportunity or whether one of the anticipated meetings must wait.
05 · The Watch ListWhat We're Watching
Do the visits happen as scheduled?
Both prospects are scheduled to attend the 4:15 p.m. ET game, but the visits remain scheduled rather than completed.
Does Ohio State turn Hall’s familiarity into momentum?
No school has separated itself in Hall’s recruitment, giving the Buckeyes an early chance to move beyond his multiple previous visits.