“In a surprising turn of events, Blake Woodby, the first cornerback commitment of the 2025 cycle, has decommitted from Ohio State.”
Recruiting operates year-round, and Ryan Day has demonstrated proficiency since assuming leadership of the program. However, he experienced his first setback of the 2025 cycle with the de-commitment of four-star cornerback Blake Woodby from Ohio State. Despite this, Ohio State’s top-two class maintains momentum with 13 commits.
Blake Woodby, a highly regarded cornerback recruit from Maryland, has decommitted from Ohio State’s 2025 class. Woodby initially committed to the Buckeyes on October 4 of the previous year and was the first of a trio to do so.
Scouts have praised Woodby as an athletic standout, showcasing impressive speed with a recorded 4.39-second 40-yard dash during his high school career. Despite his relatively smaller stature, he compensates with aggressive play and versatility in his position. Woodby’s skills earned him recognition as a MaxPreps All-American as a junior, particularly for his prowess as an “all-purpose” defender.
Whoever secures Woodby’s commitment next will acquire a tenacious cornerback known for his effectiveness at the line of scrimmage. According to 247Sports’ Andrew Ivins, Woodby is expected to become a valuable contributor for a College Football Playoff contender in the long term.
When Woodby initially committed, he opted for the Buckeyes over offers from prominent programs such as Alabama, Clemson, Tennessee, and Oregon. As the second-best overall recruit from Maryland, his decision drew attention from top-tier college football programs.
As of May 16, Ohio State’s 2025 recruiting class ranks as the second-best in the nation, trailing only Notre Dame according to 247Sports. While Notre Dame boasts 20 commits, Ohio State has secured 12.
Fortunately for the Buckeyes, cornerback appears to be a position they can weather the loss of Woodby. Currently, Ohio State has commitments from the top two cornerbacks in the cycle, Devin Sanchez and Na’eem Offord. Additionally, there are projections indicating the Buckeyes are likely to secure the commitment of the fourth-rated cornerback, Dorian Brew. Of particular interest, Brew is the son of Ohio State Athletics Hall of Famer, Donica Merriman, adding to the appeal of his potential recruitment.
The 2025 recruiting cycle is in full swing, and Ohio State remains heavily involved with a wealth of top-tier talent. Woodby’s decommitment coincides with scholarship offers from Cincinnati, Auburn, and UCF, indicating a growing interest from various programs. With offers from several other Power 4 programs such as Alabama, Clemson, Oregon, and Michigan, Woodby is poised to have a wide array of options as he considers his next collegiate destination.