Ohio State Lands 4-Star Recruit Jakob Weatherspoon Over Oregon, Notre Dame

The Oregon Ducks saw their undefeated season end with a loss to Ohio State at the Rose Bowl. To make matters worse, Oregon class of 2026 target, Jakob Weatherspoon, announced his commitment to the Buckeyes on Thursday.

Recruit Jakob Weatherspoon watches Ohio State warm up before playing Penn State Oct. 21, 2023 at Ohio Stadium. / Lori Schmidt / Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Oregon Ducks’ season came to a close on Wednesday in a 41-21 loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Rose Bowl. Not only did Ohio State beat Oregon on the field this week, they also beat them in a recruiting battle.

Class of 2026 four-star recruit, Jakob Weatherspoon, announced on Thursday afternoon that he would be committing to Ohio State over Oregon, Penn State, and Notre Dame per Hayes Fawcett of On3.

Jakob Weatherspoon Commits to Ohio State

BREAKING: Four-Star ATH Jakob Weatherspoon (2026) has Committed to Ohio State, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’0 180 ATH from Avon, OH chose the Buckeyes over Penn State, Oregon, & Notre Dame

“BI🅰️ here I come”https://t.co/POttaayfvy pic.twitter.com/Qb6PP6AFj3

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) January 2, 2025

Jakob Weatherspoon has committed to the Ohio State Buckeyes just a day after their 41-21 demolition of the No. 1 ranked Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl to advance to the College Football Playoff Semifinals. 

It been quite a 24 hours for the Buckeyes, who are now seeing their Rose Bowl win not only pay off for this season, but also the seasons to follow. 

As a recruit, it would be hard to imagine that seeing two potential schools play on the biggest stage in college football wouldn’t play a role in the decision. 

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Jakob Weatherspoon Player Profile

Hoban running back Brayton Fiester tries to avoid Avon's Jakob Weatherspoon during the Division II state semifinal football at University of Akron InfoCision Stadium on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. / Mike Cardew/Akron Beacon Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Jakob Weatherspoon is a 6-0, 200 pound athlete out of Avon, Ohio. Weatherspoon is rated a four-star recruit and ranked as the No. 9 athlete in the class of 2026 by 247sports. Weatherspoon has played numerous positions in his high school career, but it appears that he will be a cornerback at the next level. 

Avon, Ohio is just a quick two-hour drive from Ohio State’s campus in Columbus so Weatherspoon will be staying close to home if he indeed ends up singing with the Buckeyes. 

Weatherspoon’s high school team, the Avon Eagles, just wrapped up an undefeated 16-0 season that resulted in the Ohio State Championship. He earned first team All-Ohio honors per On3. 

On3 also reported that he has gone on visits to Penn State, Michigan, and Notre Dame, but has gone to Ohio State more than anywhere else. 

Buckeyes Two Wins Away From National Title

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day hosts the Leishman Trophy following the 41-21 win over the Oregon Ducks in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 1, 2025. / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Ohio State are just two wins away from winning their first national championship since 2015. The Buckeyes put the whole country on notice in their Rose Bowl win over Oregon. 

Now, Ohio State will face the Texas Longhorns for a spot in the National Championship game. Texas escaped in the quarterfinals against the Arizona State Sun Devils in a double overtime thriller. 

Texas will have their hands full with an Ohio State team that is peaking at the right time. 

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