Elbert 'Rock' Hill IV, nation's No. 1 cornerback, set to visit Ohio State Buckeyes this weekend

One of the top players in the 2026 class in Ohio, Archbishop Hoban's Elbert "Rock" Hill IV will be at Ohio State's game against Akron on Saturday

Archbishop Hoban's Elbert "Rock" Hill IV celebrates after a play against Trinity Episcopal on September 2, 2023. / Jeff Harwell, SBLive Sports

AKRON, Ohio – One of Ohio’s top high school football players in the 2026 class will be at Ohio Stadium in Columbus this weekend, as Archbishop Hoban junior cornerback Elbert “Rock” Hill IV will be attending Ohio State’s season opener against Akron.

Hill IV, ranked as the No. 1 overall player in Ohio’s 2026 class and the No. 1 cornerback in the country in 2026 by On3.com and the No. 3 recruit in Ohio in 2026 by 247Sports.com, confirmed to High School Sports on SI that he will be making the trip on Saturday.

"I'm very excited to get back to Ohio State," Hill IV said. "Every time I am up there, it is like family. They treat me very well up there. Me getting back up there to bond with the guys is great."

Ranked as a 4-star recruit by both On3.com and 247Sports, Hill IV has a list of nearly 30 offers so far that includes Ohio State, Michigan, Alabama, Oregon and Notre Dame and he will visit several other schools in the near future.

"I know a couple of schools I am supposed to be going to but I don't know exact dates," Hill IV said. "I am going to an Oregon game, a Notre Dame game, a Penn State game and a couple more schools. I am just out having fun with my recruitment right now."

The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Hill was first-team all-state in Division II last season when he pulled down seven interceptions, including two for touchdowns. He also had10 pass breakups and finished with nine touchdowns overall. 

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In Friday night's 21-7 win over Don Bosco Prep (New Jersey), Hill IV made another highlight reel interception for the Knights in the second quarter.

Ohio State has a recent history of luring the top cornerbacks in the state to Columbus, as Jermaine Mathews, Jr. (Winton Woods, 2023), Aaron Scott (Springfield, 2024) and Bryce West (Glenville, 2024) have headed to the Buckeyes in the past two years.

The Buckeyes already have a commitment from one of Hill IV's Hoban teammates, as 2025 linebacker Eli Lee made his decision to attend Ohio State last October.

Hoban entered the week ranked No. 8 in the SBLive Ohio Power 25 after a loss to Archbishop Spaulding (Maryland) in the season opener.

-- Ryan Isley | ryan@scorebooklive.com | @sbliveoh

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