The college football world just got a jolt from the future—and it’s draped in scarlet and gray.
The Ohio State Buckeyes have pulled off a jaw-dropping recruiting coup, snagging a verbal commitment from Elijah Newman-Hall, a five-star lightning bolt of a running back from Tampa, Florida, who is already being billed as the next great gridiron sensation—even though he won’t step foot on a college campus for years.
Yes, you read that right: this is a commitment from the class of 2028. The ink is far from dry—technically, there’s no ink at all—but the implications are massive, and Buckeye Nation is already buzzing.
The 5-foot-9, 175-pound dynamo was in Columbus this week for a recruiting camp, and it didn’t take long for the electricity in the air to turn into something tangible. Within hours, Newman-Hall shut the door on the rest of the nation’s elite programs and gave his verbal pledge to Ohio State, becoming the first official commit of the Buckeyes’ 2028 class.
That’s not just a recruiting win. That’s a statement.
And it came at the expense of some heavyweight programs. Newman-Hall was being courted by the likes of Miami, Florida State, UCF, and Wake Forest, among others. But ultimately, it was the Buckeyes—powered by tradition, elite development, and running backs coach Carlos Locklyn—who sealed the deal. Locklyn had Newman-Hall circled in red as his top priority, and he didn’t just reel him in—he locked him in.
While 2028 feels like a lifetime away, make no mistake: Elijah Newman-Hall is already the kind of name you remember. Scouts describe him as a blur in the open field with a devastating change of direction and surprising strength for his size. He’s the kind of player who can turn a routine handoff into a highlight—and Ohio State just added him to its arsenal.
And let’s talk about that arsenal.
The Buckeyes’ backfield pipeline has become the stuff of legend. From J.K. Dobbins to Ezekiel Elliott, and most recently, the thunder-and-lightning tandem of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State has churned out NFL-ready backs with alarming consistency. Henderson and Judkins combined for over 2,000 yards last season and were both scooped up on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The future, however, is already taking shape.
In the immediate picture, Ohio State enters 2025 with James Peoples and West Virginia transfer C.J. Donaldson leading the charge, while rising talents like Sam Williams-Dixon, Bo Jackson, and Anthony Rogers sharpen their teeth in a crowded RB room. It’s a deep, hungry, and viciously competitive unit. And in the distance? Looms the shadow of Newman-Hall.
What makes this commitment even more thrilling is the vision. Ohio State isn’t just playing for the now—they’re planting the seeds for dynasties. Recruiting a five-star for 2028 might sound premature, but in today’s high-stakes arms race of NIL, transfer portals, and early commitments, it’s all about who gets there first—and Ohio State just beat everyone to the punch.
There’s always a chance a verbal commitment flips before signing day—especially one this far out—but Newman-Hall’s early enthusiasm speaks volumes. He chose a program that develops NFL talent, competes for national championships, and gives elite athletes a platform to shine on Saturdays and cash in on Sundays.
Bottom line? Ohio State’s backfield might be loaded now, but the future just got even brighter. If you thought the Buckeyes were dangerous before, just wait until Elijah Newman-Hall gets to Columbus.
The next chapter in the Ohio State running back legacy is already being written—and it’s written in fire.
