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The Ohio State football team picked up a big commitment from four-star offensive lineman Max Riley this week as they continue to build on their 2026 recruiting class. Riley pulled the trigger on the reigning national champions Monday.
He did so by dropping a commitment graphic on his social media outlets. That photo sparked quite the reply.
The post showed Riley lined up in his tackle position with an image of Ohio Stadium in the background. The Buckeyes‘ mascot, Brutus, was oddly pictured directly behind the lineman.
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The optics weren’t great! Still, the pledge solidifies Max Riley’s loyalty to Ohio State. It appeared to be a two-team race in his recruitment, with the Buckeyes competing against Clemson.
The Tigers reportedly made a push, but Ryan Day won out. Clemson signed three other offensive linemen over the weekend. Riley became the first player at his position in the Buckeyes’ class.
An outside blocker, he’ll be tasked with protecting one of Ohio State’s many talented quarterbacks. Standing 6-5 and weighing in at 280 pounds, he has the frame for it. Riley’s currently rated as a Top 100 prospect by 247 Sports regardless of position. He’s also listed as the second-best recruit in the state of Ohio.
With Max Riley in the class, the Buckeyes now rank 20th in the 2026 recruiting rankings. They were able to keep one of their top prospects home as they look to build on their most recent title.
The initial commitment graphic might’ve received attention for the wrong reasons this week. Riley hopes to make his own noise when he steps foot on campus.