Ryan Day's Ohio State set to host No. 1 RB in the 2026 class for the Purdue game

Following their 20-13 victory over Penn State, Ohio State is shifting focus to its next game, against Purdue, this weekend. The Buckeyes are set to host a number of recruits in Columbus, including four-star running back Derrek Cooper, who is a top target for the program’s first-year running back coach Carlos Locklyn.

Day's program initially offered Cooper in May, and since then, he has remained a priority for the Buckeyes. Cooper confirmed his visit on X, tagging Locklyn, Ohio State football analyst Tony Johnson, and current Buckeyes receiver Jeremiah Smith.

"I will be at the Ohio State vs Purdue game this Saturday!! Go buckeyes 🌰 @Locklyn33 @TonyJCoach @Jermiah_Smith1 @Bill_Kurelic @adamgorney @JohnGarcia_Jr @SWiltfong_."

Cooper has had an active recruitment season involving visits to several programs. He first took in a game at Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium on Sept. 28 and watched the Tigers face Oklahoma.

He then traveled to Tuscaloosa on Oct. 26 to see Alabama dominate Missouri with a 34-0 victory. His most recent visit was to Coral Gables last weekend, where he witnessed Miami's offense shine in a 53-31 win over Duke.

Cooper committed to Georgia on June 6, but reopened his recruitment just four days later. Ohio State will have a great chance to pursue him for a potential commitment during the upcoming visit.

Ohio State's 2026 recruiting class is still forming, but it already has a major commitment from five-star wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. The Buckeyes secured two running back commits for the 2025 class in Bo Jackson and Isaiah West.

However, the school is aware that its current running backs, TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, may leave for the NFL next season. Recruiting top running backs like Cooper has become crucial, with hopes that he can join the depth chart alongside James Peoples and Sam Williams-Dixon.

Ohio State is set to host another elite RB for the Purdue game

Ohio State will also host four-star running back Anthony Rogers for the Purdue game. He committed to Alabama last year but has not entirely ruled out other programs.

The Buckeyes offered Rogers in April and have remained high on him since then. Back in August, Rogers indicated he would likely make a final decision in December after completing a few visits. He also revealed that Ohio State is “in the mix" along with Georgia, Auburn and Alabama.

Rogers is the No. 10 running back in the country, the No. 162 overall player and the No. 12 recruit in Alabama. With Alabama being his home-state program, it will be a big challenge for Ohio State to flip his commitment. But, as his recruitment is still open, the Buckeyes still have some hopes.