The Buckeyes lost a 2025 commitment on Monday when Philadelphia Imhotep Institute four-star defensive end Zahir Mathis (6-6, 225) announced on Twitter that he will be re-opening his recruitment.
Mathis has been committed to Ohio State since Jan. 10, but has long been a big target for Penn State, the only other school he took an official visit to.
Losing Mathis will be a big blow to what was the No. 1 recruiting class in 2025 before he decided to explore other options. He is the No. 67 player in the country and the No. 5 edge rusher according to 247Sports composite ranking.
The Buckeyes still have five defensive linemen committed to Larry Johnson and Ohio State, but Mathis was the highest rated and was one of just two edge rushers int he class along with Enterprise, Ala., four-star Zion Grady (6-4, 235).
