Ohio State is wasting no time building for the future. While most programs are still finalizing their 2025 and 2026 recruiting boards, Ryan Day and his staff have already locked in 11 verbal commitments for the 2027 class—good enough for a top-10 ranking according to 247Sports. That early momentum has freed up the Buckeyes to look even further ahead, and this past weekend, they hosted a pair of elite cornerback prospects from the 2029 class.

James Allen and DeMarcus Van Dyke Jr., teammates at Carrollwood Day School in Tampa, Florida, made the trip to Columbus together. Both are already generating buzz as future blue-chip recruits, even though their official recruitment cycles are still years away. Allen currently holds 36 scholarship offers from powerhouse programs like Alabama, LSU, Florida, USC, and Texas A&M. Van Dyke Jr. isn't far behind with 25 offers from schools including Auburn, Colorado, Florida State, and Miami.

While Ohio State hasn't extended official offers yet, the visit signals strong interest. Allen shared his excitement on social media, posting, "Had an amazing time at Ohio State last weekend," while Van Dyke Jr. echoed the sentiment: "Had a great time today at The Ohio State." With the Buckeyes' track record of developing NFL-ready defensive backs and their aggressive early recruiting approach, don't be surprised if these two become priority targets when their time comes.