COLUMBUS, Ohio –The arrival of defensive coordinator Matt Patricia has sparked a seismic shift in Ohio State’s defensive recruiting philosophy, one that’s becoming increasingly evident with each new commitment. The Buckeyes aren’t just recruiting differently – they’re recruiting entirely different types of players, a transformation best exemplified by recent edge rusher commit Braxton Rebert.
Rebert, the No. 358 player in the country from the same high school as current Buckeye Caleb Downs, represents this new paradigm perfectly. Standing 6′5″ and 200 pounds with exceptional length and basketball credentials, he’s the prototype for Patricia’s defensive vision – but he might never have been a Buckeye under previous regimes.
“When I first started this, like when we first started doing these recruiting pods between you and me when I showed up, I don’t think Ohio State would have taken Braxton Rebert two years ago,” Andrew Gillis emphasized on the latest Buckeye Talk podcast. “I don’t think they’re recruiting Braxton Rebert a couple of years ago. And I’ve written about this once or twice for the site. I think Matt Patricia’s addition has added a new dynamic to this.”
This pivot isn’t simply about physical profiles. It represents a fundamental reassessment of what constitutes a Buckeye-caliber defensive prospect.
“And I think that’s on two fronts, right?” Stephen Means elaborated. “There’s the the type of player he might be probably fits this scheme more than it did previous defensive scheme since Ryan Day has been the head coach, but then also just, you know, the the pedigree of a player.”
Consider Rebert’s background: he only had 13 offers, many from service academies and FCS programs like William & Mary, Wofford, and Gardner Webb. He was committed to Wake Forest before Ohio State swooped in. This isn’t the traditional five-star, nationwide recruiting battle that has defined Ohio State’s approach for years.
The Patricia effect extends beyond Rebert. It’s evident in Ohio State’s strategic decision to pursue Darius McKinley (No. 599 player nationally) from Louisiana, flipping him from LSU while letting previous defensive line commit Cameron Bickl (No. 571 player) depart for Maryland.
“I think they saw a chance to pivot and I think it works,” Gillis explained of the defensive line reshuffling. “So I think they like McKinley better. They added basically a one for one swap. McKinley for Bickl. Bickl goes to Maryland. McKinley goes to Ohio State, LSU gets nothing.”
The new defensive scheme demands different skill sets, and Patricia isn’t wedded to conventional recruiting rankings. He’s searching for specific traits – length, versatility, athleticism – that translate to his system, regardless of star rating or offer list prestige.
This philosophical shift might be the most significant under-the-radar development in Ryan Day’s program building. While the flashy offensive recruits grab headlines, Patricia is quietly assembling a defense built on a completely different blueprint than what Buckeye fans have become accustomed to in recent years.
Want to hear more about Ohio State’s evolving defensive identity and recruiting strategy? Listen to the full Buckeye Talk podcast where Stephen Means and Andrew Gillis break down the complete 2025 recruiting class ahead of National Signing Day.
Here’s the podcast for this week:
