Ohio State Earns Commitment From 2025 In-State Linebacker Eli Lee

Ohio State added a commitment on Wednesday from Akron Archbishop Hoban three-star linebacker Eli Lee (6-3, 215), becoming the first linebacker in the team’s 2025 recruiting class.

Lee is fresh off a visit to Columbus for the Buckeyes’ 20-12 win over Penn State, his first since being offered by Ohio State on Oct. 4, and one of several visits he has taken to the school over the last year.

He is the No. 380 overall prospect and No. 36 linebacker in the class, and he held additional offers from Akron, Central Michigan, Iowa State, Massachusetts, Toledo and West Virginia. He lines up primarily as an inside linebacker for Hoban, with middle linebacker as a potential landing spot once he arrives on campus.

Ohio State has already been busy at linebacker for 2025, issuing offers to 19 potential prospects so far. The list includes the likes of Vero Beach, Fla., four-star Tarvos Alford (6-2, 210), San Juan Capistrano (Calif.) J. Serra Catholic four-star Madden Faraimo (6-3, 210), Kissimmee (Fla.) Osceola four-star Elijah Melendez (6-2, 223), La Verne (Calif.) Bonita four-star Noah Mikhail (6-3, 205), McKinney, Texas, four-star Riley Pettijohn (6-2, 205), and San Juan Capistrano (Calif.) Hills four-star Weston Port (6-1, 215), among others.

He is the fourth commitment in Ohio State’s class and the second on the defense side of the ball, joining Baltimore St. Frances Academy four-star cornerback Blake Woodby (5-11, 180), who committed to the Buckeyes on Oct. 14.