It’s pretty safe to say that [autotag]Ohio State[/autotag] really likes prospects from the state of Texas.
The Lone Star State is a talent-rich area and the Buckeyes have done a great job of poaching talent. Some of the best recent Ohio State players like Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson, and JK Dobbins hail from the state.
In the 2024 recruiting class, running back James Peoples and linebacker Payton Pierce are both from Texas, continuing the Buckeye pipeline.
It’s not stopping with that class either, as 2025 running back [autotag]Deondrae “Tiger” Riden[/autotag] was offered a scholarship by running backs coach [autotag]Tony Alford[/autotag]. The 5-foot, 10-inch, 190-pound back is rated as the No. 15 best at his position and 153rd overall by the 247Sports Composite Rankings.
[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]
I Am Honored And Blessed To Receive An Offer From Ohio State University ❤️🙏🏾 @CoachTonyAlford @CoachSweeny @FootballDesoto pic.twitter.com/mP4u1usRoY
— Tiger Riden (@riden_jr) April 30, 2023
It’s been a flurry of an April finish for Riden, as the Buckeyes, Alabama, and Michigan State all offered within the last week.
[lawrence-auto-related count=5]
[mm-video type=video id=01gz2wbp604yh11ejq9h playlist_id=none player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gz2wbp604yh11ejq9h/01gz2wbp604yh11ejq9h-df07a011ffdc1a55703e77ef7cfa6ec9.jpg]
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Michael Chen on Twitter.