Ohio State Surprisingly Dealt Blow by Highly Touted Star This Week

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dave Holcomb | Last updated Jun 26, 2025 1:35 PM ET

The Ohio State Buckeyes weren't able to convince a four-star offensive tackle from Texas to leave the state after all.

Eleven Warriors' Garrick Hodge reported Thursday that offensive tackle Drew Evers, who was one of Ohio State's top remaining offensive line targets, committed to the SMU Mustangs.

Evers plays high school football in Flower Mound, Texas, which is about 30 miles northwest of the SMU campus.

"214 ... I'm staying home," Evers told On3's Hayes Fawcett after his commitment. "Let's work."

Ohio State was a significant favorite to land a commitment from Evers. The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine gave the Buckeyes a 77.5% chance of getting the offensive tackle.

But SMU "moved the needle" for Evers when he visited the school on May 2. Evers was in Columbus, Ohio, for an official visit on June 6.

Evers is the No. 14 offensive tackle and No. 27 Texas prospect in the 2026 recruiting class based on the 247Sports Composite rankings.

Overall, he is ranked the No. 208 prospect for 2026.

BREAKING: Four-Star OL Drew Evers has Committed to SMU, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’4 302 OL from Flower Mound, TX chose the Mustangs over Ohio State, Texas A&M, Penn State, & LSU

“214…I’m staying home. Let’s work #PonyUp”https://t.co/sTRY28LBbb pic.twitter.com/H44IUEsscK
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 26, 2025

The good news for Ohio State is the program still received positive news for its offensive line this week. Three-star offensive tackle Aaron Thomas committed to the Buckeyes on Wednesday.

Ohio State has four offensive linemen committed in the 2026 class. Two of the other commits are four-star prospects in Maxwell Riley and Sam Greer. The Buckeyes' other offensive line pledge besides Thomas is three-star Tucker Smith.

The 247Sports rankings have Ohio State's 2026 class ranked fifth overall. The USC Trojans, Texas A&M Aggies, Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Georgia Bulldogs are ahead of the Buckeyes.

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

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