Winning a national championship is supposed to be the pinnacle of college football, but for Ohio State, it’s just the beginning of a battle they might already be losing. The Buckeyes’ victory on the field will be meaningless if they can’t capitalize on it in recruiting. While fans celebrate, the harsh reality is that the championship glow fades fast, and if Ohio State doesn’t leverage this moment for top-tier talent, they risk falling back into the shadows of their fiercest rivals.
The Harsh Truth About Recruiting in the NIL Era
Recruiting in 2025 isn’t what it used to be. The name, image, and likeness (NIL) era has turned college football into a high-stakes bidding war, and Ohio State has often been outgunned. Programs like Georgia, Alabama, and even Michigan have aggressively pursued top recruits with lucrative NIL deals, while Ohio State has been criticized for being too passive in the market. A national title should, in theory, make Columbus the most attractive destination in college football, but history suggests otherwise.
After winning it all in 2014, Ohio State’s recruiting didn’t explode as expected. Instead, the Buckeyes missed out on key five-star prospects who opted for the SEC’s financial advantages and development pipelines. If the same pattern repeats itself, this championship will be nothing more than a fleeting moment of glory rather than a foundation for sustained dominance.
Ryan Day’s Recruiting Woes
Ryan Day has silenced critics by securing a national title, but his real test begins now. While he’s proven he can coach a team to the mountaintop, his ability to maintain elite recruiting classes remains questionable. Losing top-tier talent, especially in the trenches, has been a recurring issue for the Buckeyes. The 2024 class was solid but lacked the kind of overwhelming dominance that national champions usually command.
Day must act aggressively to ensure the program doesn’t suffer from post-title complacency. The Buckeyes can’t just rely on the prestige of a national title to attract recruits; they need a relentless recruiting strategy that includes embracing NIL and ensuring that top players see Columbus as the best place to develop their careers—both athletically and financially.
The SEC and Michigan Won’t Make It Easy
The biggest threat to Ohio State’s recruiting success isn’t just their own shortcomings—it’s the vultures circling above. The SEC powerhouses are always ready to poach elite talent, and with Texas and Oklahoma officially in the conference, the competition just got even fiercer. Meanwhile, Michigan, fresh off a national title run of its own, isn’t going to roll over. Jim Harbaugh might be gone, but the Wolverines have shown they can build championship-level teams without having the most star-studded recruiting classes. If Ohio State lets Michigan maintain recruiting momentum, the rivalry could shift permanently in Ann Arbor’s favor.
What Ohio State Must Do Now
If Ohio State wants to avoid becoming a one-hit wonder, they need to make aggressive moves immediately:
- Own the NIL Market – The Buckeyes must close the gap with SEC giants by ensuring their NIL infrastructure is second to none. No more losing recruits to deeper pockets.
- Dominate the Trenches – Ohio State has to secure five-star offensive and defensive linemen to compete with the physicality of the SEC.
- Keep the Best in Ohio – The state produces elite talent, but recent years have seen top prospects leave. That can’t happen anymore.
- Market the Championship as a Dynasty Starter – One title isn’t enough. The Buckeyes need to sell recruits on building a legacy, not just joining a one-time champion.
Conclusion
Ohio State has reached the top, but staying there is far more difficult. Without immediate recruiting dominance, this championship will become just another entry in history books rather than the start of a dynasty. If Ryan Day and Ohio State don’t step up in the recruiting arms race, their title will mean nothing in the long run. Dominating Saturdays in the fall starts with winning battles in living rooms and boardrooms right now.