2025 3-star linebacker Eli Lee commits to Ohio State football

colin gay, columbus dispatch

Thu, Oct 26, 2023, 1:42 AM·2 min read

Ohio State has added another defensive player to its 2025 recruiting class.

On Wednesday, linebacker Eli Lee committed to the Buckeyes, joining four-star quarterback Tavien St. Clair, four-star wide receiver Jayvan Boggs and four-star cornerback Blake Woodby in the class. Lee chose Ohio State while holding offers from programs such as Penn State, Iowa State and Wisconsin.

Lee, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound three-star, is listed as the No. 38 linebacker and the No. 15 prospect from Ohio per 247Sports, hailing from Archbishop Hoban High School in Akron.

Lee does not have a 247Sports composite ranking.

I have decided to commit to THE Ohio State University! #AGTG #GoBucks🌰@OhioStateFB @markpantoni @JLaurinaitis55 @CoachJimKnowles @HobanFootball @Hoban_Strength @CoachMcGrath22 @614EditzDSGN @showcaseneohsfb pic.twitter.com/EwMCwCEXBl
— Eli Lee (@EliLee12) October 25, 2023

Lee visited Ohio State during its win against Penn State Oct. 21 after earning an offer from the Buckeyes Oct. 4

Lee felt Ohio State made him a priority on his visit, taking time to talk with both Knowles and assistant linebackers coach James Laurinaitis before the game.

With Lee's commitment, Ohio State has secured an in-state linebacker commitment in each of the last five recruiting classes: Reid Carrico in 2021, Gabe Powers and C.J. Hicks in 2022, Nigel Glover, who transferred from Northwestern to OSU before the season started, and Arvell Reese in 2023 and Garrett Stover in 2024.

Lee is the second in-state commitment for Ohio State in 2025, joining St. Clair. Since coach Ryan Day took over the program in 2019, the Buckeyes have secured an average of nearly seven Ohio players in each recruiting class.

Hoban linebacker Eli Lee, right center, and defensive back Ayden Boykin, bottom, work to bring down Glenville running back D'Shawntae Jones during the first half of a high school football game, Friday, Oct. 6, 2023, in Akron, Ohio.

At the time of his commitment, Lee was one of several 2025 linebackers offered by Ohio State, joining players such as four-star Elijah Melendez, who was also at the Penn State game, and four-star Georgia commit Jadon Perlotte.