Ohio State continued to add to its top-rated 2025 recruiting class on Sunday when it secured an in-state commitment from Westerville (Ohio) North three-star interior offensive lineman Jake Cook (6-5, 295).
Cook, who grew up rooting for the Buckeyes while living just minutes away from Ohio State’s campus, had originally committed to Louisville in February over schools such as Boston College, Duke, Kentucky, North Carolina and West Virginia.
But the offensive lineman changed tune on June 18 when he decommitted from the Cardinals, allowing Buckeyes offensive line coach Justin Frye — who did not offer Cook prior to his commitment to Louisville — to develop some interest in the in-state product. Cook, who lost more than 40 pounds over the course of the last year, helping him improve his stamina and technique, was able to impress Ohio State’s staff on two separate occasions this summer, first during the program’s first summer camp on June 5 and then during Ohio State’s 7-on-7 high school camp on June 12, when he reportedly had a workout with Frye that lasted an hour and 15 minutes.
These two separate outings earned him an offer from his hometown team on June 15, and, after an official visit with the program this weekend, Frye committed to the Buckeyes on Sunday.
“I’d say it’s one of the best feelings in the world. It feels awesome,” Cook told 247Sports. “My family has been freaking out.”
Cook’s improvements over the year are reflected in his recruiting rankings, where he is now tabbed as the nation’s 617th-best prospect, 39th-best interior offensive lineman and 21st-best player out of Ohio. He is likely to play center in college, according to 247Sports Midwest recruiting expert Allen Trieu.
“(Cook) has experience at tackle, but projects to the inside in college, with center a very likely landing spot,” he wrote in his scouting report. “Has done an excellent job of re-shaping his body and getting quicker. Plays with tenacity, demonstrates violence with his hands and plays to the whistle. Still can continue to work on explosiveness and agility but has made great strides in those departments. Has excellent intangibles and those qualities along with his development trajectory should make him a safe bet to contribute in college and work his way into a starting position.”
Cook is Ohio State’s second offensive line commit in its top-rated 2025 class, joining Toledo Whitmer four-star offensive tackle Carter Lowe (6-5, 290), who committed to the Buckeyes in January. He is also the 18th overall commit and seventh in-state pledge, joining Bellefontaine, Ohio five-star quarterback Tavien St. Clair (6-4, 210), Cleveland St. Ignatius three-star safety Cody Haddad (6-1, 175), Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph four-star running back Bo Jackson (6-0, 205), Akron Archbishop Hoban three-star linebacker Eli Lee (6-3, 230), Lowe and Mansfield (Ohio) Ontario three-star wide receiver Bodpegn Miller (6-4, 180), who committed to Ohio State on Friday.
With Cook now committed, Frye and the Buckeyes will likely take up to three more linemen in the 2025 class, one which could potentially be elevated if the team secures a pledge from Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day School five-star offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. (6-6, 290), who the Buckeyes have aggressively pursued and are hosting on an official visit this weekend.
Sanders is the No. 2 overall prospect in the nation as well as the top-ranked offensive tackle.
