Ohio State-Michigan Rivalry Escalates in Battle for Elite Recruit

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Evan Massey | Last updated May 9, 2025 6:46 PM ET

The Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines are two of the most bitter rivals in the wide world of sports. When they face each other on the gridiron, it is always must-watch TV.

Last season's game between the two rivals is perfect proof of that fact. Despite Ohio State coming in as a national championship favorite and as the obvious better team, Michigan found a way to pull off a massive road upset.

That rivalry extends into other areas. In fact, there is a current battle brewing in the recruiting scene.

According to a report from Hayes Fawcett of On3 Sports, five-star 2026 pass rusher Carter Meadows has narrowed his list of potential schools down to just four. Those schools are the Buckeyes, Wolverines, Penn State Nittany Lions and South Carolina Gamecocks.

BREAKING: Five-Star EDGE Carter Meadows is down to 4 Schools, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’6 235 EDGE from Washington, DC is ranked as the No. 6 Recruit in the ‘26 Class (per On3)

Where Should He Go? https://t.co/W3oe3TGhO7 pic.twitter.com/KrUNp0hMO1
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 9, 2025

Meadows has massive potential for the future. All four schools will be fighting tooth and nail from now until his commitment date to land his services.

Hailing from Washington, DC, Meadows has received offers from many high-profile schools. Standing in at 6-foot-6 and 215 pounds, he combines elite size with great athleticism, although he will need to bulk up some for the college level.

Currently, On3 Sports has Meadows ranked as the No. 5 edge rusher in the 2026 recruiting class. They also rank him No. 34 overall in the nation and No. 1 from Washington, DC.

Ryan Day and Sherrone Moore will be putting in a lot of work to convince him to commit to their respective schools. An old-school Ohio State versus Michigan rivalry in a recruiting war is something to watch and Meadows will have a tough choice ahead of him.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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