The 2027 recruiting class for Ohio State encountered an unexpected shift when four‑star cornerback Bryce Woods announced his commitment to Virginia Tech, passing up the Buckeyes despite being a long‑time target.
Woods, a standout at Woodward Academy in Georgia, made his decision after a scheduled visit to Columbus was eclipsed by the Hokies' staff, led by head coach James Franklin, who successfully courted the recruit.
The choice highlights the increasing impact of name, image and likeness agreements in high school recruiting, with insiders indicating that NIL opportunities played a pivotal role in Woods' final decision.
What This Means for the Buckeyes
Ohio State is not abandoning its defensive back hunt. The program continues to pursue other in‑state prospects such as Monsanna Torbert Jr. and Deontay Malone, while already securing commitments from safeties Eli Johnson and Angelo Smith.
Analysts view the loss of Woods as a setback rather than a class‑shifting blow, emphasizing that the Buckeyes remain a major player in the national recruiting market.