Ohio State football Confirms electrifying recruitment news as they land 4-star running back. The Buckeyes have been a top contender in Akih’s recruitment for a while now.
Though top star holds offers from a wide array of powerhouse programs, his decision appears to be narrowing down to a three-team race between Ohio State, USC, and Miami. At the moment, however, Ryan Day and his staff seem to be in full control of that race.
Adding to the buzz, another Crystal Ball prediction on 247Sports has just rolled in—projecting top star to commit to Ohio State. If that holds, it would be yet another major recruiting win for the Buckeyes and a potential cornerstone for their future backfield.
His recruitment has drawn national attention, and for good reason. The 6-foot, 190-pound in-state standout has racked up offers from a long list of major programs—including Ohio State, Miami, USC, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan State, and Purdue. Still, the race has clearly narrowed to three: the Buckeyes, the Hurricanes, and the Trojans. And right now, Ohio State is pulling away.
According to the 247Sports Composite, Akih is a four-star prospect, ranked as the No. 14 running back in the 2026 class and the No. 166 overall player nationally. His junior season was impressive—over 1,600 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns, despite missing two games due to injury. That kind of production only adds to the hype.
There’s no firm commitment date set yet, but all eyes are on Akih’s official visit to Columbus on June 6. He’s scheduled to visit USC the following week, but the Buckeyes will get the first crack at making a lasting impression. Could Ryan Day and his staff lock things down before Akih even leaves campus? It’s possible.
While recruiting can be unpredictable and nothing is guaranteed until a commitment is official, Ohio State is sitting in a strong position. If momentum holds, it would be a surprise at this point if Akih ends up anywhere other than Columbus.