A new rumor claims the Ohio State Buckeyes have overtaken the Oregon Ducks in the chase for one of the best receivers in the 2026 recruiting class.
With spring officially here, college football programs around the nation are focused on putting together their rosters for the 2025 season. Without a doubt, the transfer portal has become a huge part of team building in the era of NIL. However, identifying and scouting the best young high school players around the nation is still key in the process.
Elite teenage prospects are making trips to visit interested programs this month as they narrow down their choices for where they want to continue their football careers in college. Like every other year, Oregon and Ohio State are major players when it comes to athletes in the 2026 class.
Being powerhouse programs goes a long way with luring regional talent. So the Buckeyes and Ducks do a great job of landing high school stars from Ohio and the northwest United States, respectively. However, a new rumor from Rivals recruiting insider Adam Gorney revealed that OSU has made up serious ground and is leading the race for a four-star receiver from California.
Is Ohio State now the favorite to land Santa Ana star Kayden Dixon-Wyatt?
“Oregon had been the program to beat in Dixon-Wyatt’s recruitment. But after spending time in Columbus over the last few days, Ohio State has moved to the top,” Gorney wrote. “The four-star receiver from Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei got a clear message from coach Ryan Day and position coach Brian Hartline: That he’s a must-get player.”
Jeremiah Smith will be the team WR1 again in 2025. However, OSU must prepare for his potential jump to the NFL in 2026. Dixon-Wyatt would be a big addition to their freshman clash next year. It is also understandable why Ohio State would interest him.
Not only are they the reigning National Champions, but they have developed a reputation for developing wide receivers to go early in the draft.
More college football news and rumors:
- Rumors emerge Ohio State football in real danger of losing local 4-star recruit to elite ACC program
- Schools like Notre Dame, Ohio State, Duke and St. John’s could soon have easier route to land elite transfers
- Penn State and Ohio State among rumored schools emerging as serious contender for elite receiver recruit