06-05-2025
No. 1 Ohio Recruit Chooses Historic College Football Program Over Ohio State
The Ohio State Buckeyes secured a significant win in January by capturing a ninth national title. But they sustained a massive loss on the recruiting trail -- with USC claiming the win here.
The Trojans landed four-star cornerback Elbert Hill Friday, with Hayes Fawcett of On3 confirming the move. The Akron native, however, ranks as the state' top recruit. Meaning the Trojans just siphoned the No. 1 prospect from the Buckeyes State. And from the backyard of Ohio State.
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"I'm home, fight on," Hill told Fawcett following his verbal commitment.
The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Hill stars for Archbishop Hoban High in Akron. He's also the nation's fourth-best CB.
Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka brushes off Oregon Ducks tackler in College Football Playoff Cairns/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Ohio State did make Hill a high priority on the recruiting trail. On3 listed Hill's chances of committing there at 26.5%, though. The Buckeyes had assistants Tim Walton and Perry Eliano leading the efforts to land Hill.
Doug Belk, however, earns a monster recruiting win for the Trojans and head coach Lincoln Riley. Belk lands a defender who earned comparisons to Kansas State star Jacob Parrish by 247Sports. Allen Trieu of 247Sports also lauds Hill's receiver background.
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"Has the athletic background of track, but also offensive production. His receiver background shows up in his ball production at cornerback with 11 interceptions in two seasons. Has short-area quickness and closing speed. Instinctive, well-schooled and fairly technically buttoned up for being a high school junior," Trieu said.
Trieu adds Hill will need to add bulk in college. But he's equipped with the speed to handle outside CB and slot duties.
Related: Four-Star Recruit Commits to Historic College Football Program
