DAKORIEN MOORE COMMITS TO OREGON, BUCKEYES IN SOLID POSITION WITH ANOTHER TOP DEFENSIVE TARGET
On Thursday, five-star wide receiver Dakorien Moore committed to Oregon. It feels like the first time in a while Brian Hartline has missed out on a top end player at the position, but that is how it goes in the recruiting world.
Moore was a long-time LSU commit before re-opening his recruitment this past May. After taking multiple trips to Columbus to see the Buckeyes and all that Ohio State had to offer, it was then that Hartline and the rest of the staff really felt they had a shot moving forward considering how they have fared the last several classes at his position.
Following official visits and the rumblings, the Buckeyes landed in his final group with Texas, Oregon, and LSU also in the fold, but Texas was the school that really seemed to be in the driver’s seat. However, this week the Crystal Ball predictions began to change as Oregon surged to the top, and it was the Ducks that landed the five-star’s pledge, continuing what has been an incredible week for them on the trail.
From here, it’s important to note that while Ohio State has lost out on some incredible talent, this staff does still currently boast the top-ranked class in the country with more commits to come. It’s not easy to lose an in-state kid like Justin Hill or to see a conference foe poach the top player at the position you develop better than anyone else, but that seems to be part of the deal now in college football. Simply put, you can’t win them all.
Current Ohio State players such as Jeremiah Smith and future Buckeye Devin Sanchez did their best to pitch Moore late in the process once more, but Oregon is now proving they’re a real threat. It’s never fun to see another team have recruiting success head-to-head with Ohio State, but Dan Lanning and the Ducks are a force to be reckoned with right now.
Still, plenty of optimism surrounds this current 2025 class Ohio State has put together, and that should be the focus as we get deeper into the summer months and closer to the start of the regular season.
Quick Hits
- Speaking of Sanchez, the five-star continues to say and do all the right things concerning his Buckeye pledge. Taking it to heart to peer recruit and help build this 2025 class, Sanchez was active on his social media on Thursday not only pitching to Moore, but also reassuring Ohio State fans that everything is going to be fine even with two consecutive days of news that could have gone better.
Echoing that the Buckeyes are, “all good,” Sanchez’s thoughts pave the way for potential good news on the horizon. That would certainly be a positive development, considering Texas native linebacker target Riley Pettijohn is set to announce his college plans on Saturday.
Ohio State seems to be in solid position this close to decision day for the No. 31 player nationally and fourth-best linebacker in the 2025 class per the 247Sports Composite, and comments like the ones Steve Wiltfong makes below further promote the Buckeyes and their chances of landing another big time playmaker for their defense.