Jordan Hall, an in-state running back and Ohio State’s top remaining target at the position for the 2027 class, committed to Penn State on Saturday, a decision that leaves the Buckeyes regrouping as they pursue multiple running back openings in the class.
Recruiting momentum shifts to State College
Hall had narrowed his finalists to Penn State, Ohio State and Missouri. He visited Ohio State twice this fall — for the season opener against Ball State and again for an official visit Sept. 19 for the Kent State game — and also made two visits to Penn State. Coaches from both programs made in-person evaluations: Ohio State running backs coach Carlos Locklyn watched Hall play the day before his official visit, while Penn State head coach Matt Campbell attended Hall’s game on the Friday evening prior to the commitment.
Sources close to the recruitment told local outlets that Penn State emphasized the opportunity for Hall to play early, an assurance Ohio State was not positioned to match. Instead, OSU offered what staff described as a promising developmental track.
Immediate impact for Ohio State’s 2027 class
The loss stings for the Buckeyes because Hall was the program’s top remaining running back target in the high school ranks. Earlier in the recruiting cycle Ohio State also missed on David Gabriel Georges, another highly regarded running back prospect, and coaches now must widen their search to meet roster needs.
Ohio State still has clear targets it intends to pursue in the 2027 class, according to recruiting reports. The names still on the list include Kingston Allen, Nigel Newkirk and Jayden Miles. With Hall off the board, analysts expect OSU to be more active in coming weeks and to consider alternatives through multiple channels, including the transfer portal if roster attrition creates immediate openings.
- Visited Ohio State: season opener vs. Ball State; official visit Sept. 19 (Kent State game)
- Visited Penn State: twice this fall; staff presence at his game noted
- Finalists: Penn State, Ohio State, Missouri
What this means for the Buckeyes and broader recruiting trends
Ohio State’s difficulty in securing top in-state running back talent for 2027 highlights the competitive landscape of Big Ten recruiting, where playing-time projections and immediate-role promises can tilt decisions. Programs such as Penn State have demonstrated an increased willingness to offer prospective freshmen opportunities for early playing time — a pitch that can be decisive for recruits seeking immediate field exposure.
OSU has recently showcased a willingness to play younger backs when warranted, with the staff citing examples from the past two seasons. Still, the staff’s approach of emphasizing development over early snaps may be less persuasive for some recruits who prioritize immediate opportunities.
Coaches and recruiting analysts say the situation is fluid: Ohio State may expand its high school target board or pivot to the transfer portal depending on how the next few weeks unfold and on attrition decisions that will be clearer after the season and early offseason movements.
| Player | Current status |
|---|---|
| Jordan Hall | Committed to Penn State |
| David Gabriel Georges | Previously lost recruit |
| Kingston Allen | Still being pursued by Ohio State |
| Nigel Newkirk | Still being pursued by Ohio State |
| Jayden Miles | Still being pursued by Ohio State |
Recruiting directors will watch for movement on those targets and others, and the Buckeyes’ next steps could include intensified recruiting visits, offers to additional high school prospects or targeted use of the portal to fill immediate depth needs.
For Ohio State fans and program planners, the loss underscores the importance of contingency planning in recruitment. The program’s stated aim remains to secure two running backs in the 2027 class; missing Hall means that mission now requires a faster, more expansive approach.
The coming weeks will reveal whether Ohio State can close with other high school prospects or must rely on transfers to maintain depth and competition in the backfield heading into the 2027 season.
