Breaking News: ‘Significant Moves’ Being Made by Ohio State to Land a Star Over Georgia
In what could be a pivotal recruiting coup, Ohio State is making what insiders are calling “significant moves” to land one of the most highly sought-after prospects in the 2025 college football class—edging ahead of reigning powerhouse Georgia in what has become a high-stakes battle for elite talent.
Sources close to the situation confirm that the Buckeyes have surged to the front of the race for five-star wide receiver Jaylen Wortham, a 6’3” speedster out of Buford, Georgia, ranked as the No. 2 receiver and a top-10 overall prospect nationally. Wortham, who had long been considered a Georgia lean, is now reportedly “very intrigued” by Ohio State’s pitch and the offensive vision presented by head coach Ryan Day and wide receivers coach Brian Hartline.
“It’s real. Ohio State has made a serious impression,” said one national recruiting analyst. “This isn’t just smoke. They’ve gone from outside contenders to legitimate front-runners in just a few weeks.”
Hartline, widely regarded as the top receivers coach in college football, has a history of developing elite talent for the NFL—names like Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Marvin Harrison Jr. come to mind. That pedigree is believed to be a major factor in Wortham’s reconsideration.
“Coach Hartline is just different,” Wortham said during a recent interview after visiting Columbus. “He’s done it with guys who play just like me. He knows how to develop us for the league, not just college ball.”
Ohio State’s offensive system and track record of producing first-round wideouts are clearly resonating. According to sources, Wortham’s unofficial visit to Ohio State last weekend “blew him away,” especially the time he spent with current players, as well as the hands-on sessions with Day and Hartline, where they broke down film and demonstrated how he’d be featured in the offense.
While Georgia is still very much in the picture—having hosted Wortham multiple times and offering the appeal of playing close to home—there are growing concerns in Athens about Ohio State’s momentum.
Adding another layer of intrigue, NIL opportunities are believed to be playing a role. Although exact figures remain undisclosed, sources indicate Ohio State’s collective is prepared to make a “competitive offer” in line with Wortham’s profile as a future top NFL pick.
Recruiting battles between top-tier programs have always been intense, but this one could have ripple effects well beyond just one player. If Ohio State lands Wortham, it would mark their third five-star commit in the 2025 cycle and further solidify their standing as the nation’s top destination for wide receivers.
A decision from Wortham could come as early as late May, though no formal timeline has been announced. For now, the Buckeyes have all the momentum, and Georgia finds itself in unfamiliar territory—chasing rather than leading.
As this recruiting drama unfolds, one thing is certain: Ohio State isn’t just aiming to compete with Georgia. They’re going after their crown—and Wortham could be the next piece in that ambitious puzzle.