‘It blew me away’: Ohio State newcomer admits he’s already had one unforgettable experience with the Buckeyes

Ohio State welcomed another top-tier recruiting class for the 2025 season, bringing in 26 new players for the program. While the Buckeyes may not have a Jeremiah Smith-type talent poised to break out as a freshman this year, the incoming group is once again loaded with potential.

Ranked as the No. 5 class in the country for 2025, according to 247Sports, the class is headlined by former five-star quarterback Tavien St. Clair.

Thanks to Ohio State’s deep run in last season’s College Football Playoff—culminating in a National Championship—some of the newcomers were treated to an unforgettable experience.

“It was an amazing experience,” said freshman running back Isaiah West, via Eleven Warriors. “I remember when they first reached out saying that they wanted to bring the recruits out to Cali to go to the Rose Bowl. It blew me away. Being able to be with the team throughout that entire process and see how those leaders led us all the way to the championship—it kind of set the foundation for us. And now we’ve got to do it again.”

Ohio State encourages early enrollment whenever possible, as it often takes time for freshmen to get up to speed. The young players who make an early impact in Columbus are almost always early enrollees. This year, those who joined the program early were allowed to travel with the team and even practice on the scout team during College Football Playoff preparation.

These freshmen will soon face big moments of their own, and getting on campus early—and experiencing the energy of a title run—was an invaluable head start. If Isaiah West felt inspired by it, there’s little doubt his classmates did too.