Ohio State Buckeyes Land World-Class TE Commitment After Rejections from Beavers, Longhorns, and…
Ohio State Buckeyes Land World-Class TE Commitment After Rejections from Beavers, Longhorns, and Others
The recruitment saga of Jackson “Jax” Miles, the nation’s top tight end prospect, had been one of the most dramatic in recent memory. The 6’6”, 245-pound phenom from Austin, Texas, was the kind of athlete coaches dream about: a physical mismatch for linebackers, too fast for safeties, and a nightmare in the red zone. Every major program in the country wanted him, and for months, it seemed like the Oregon State Beavers and Texas Longhorns were the front-runners.
Jax visited Corvallis first, marveling at the facilities and Oregon State’s tight end-focused offense. However, he grew uneasy when their offensive coordinator left mid-season for an NFL job. Then came his trip to Austin, where the Longhorns rolled out the red carpet, pitching him on staying close to home and being the centerpiece of their revamped offense. Still, the local pressure weighed heavy. Texas boosters seemed more concerned with photo ops than football.
After eliminating the Beavers and Longhorns, Jax narrowed his list to three: Alabama, Notre Dame, and Ohio State. But just when it seemed the Buckeyes were losing steam in the race, head coach Ryan Day made a bold move. He flew to Texas unannounced, accompanied by former Buckeye great Jeremy Ruckert, to personally meet with Jax and his family.
“Ohio State isn’t just a football program,” Day told the Miles family in their living room. “It’s a brotherhood. We don’t just prepare you for Saturdays; we prepare you for life after football.”
Ruckert added, “When I was at Ohio State, they didn’t just make me a better player—they made me a better man.”
The visit struck a chord with Jax, who had grown tired of the empty promises of other programs. A week later, he stunned the recruiting world by committing to the Buckeyes live on national TV.
“I chose Ohio State because they believed in me as more than just an athlete,” Jax said during his announcement. “I want to compete for national championships and become the best version of myself, on and off the field.”
The commitment sent shockwaves through college football. The Buckeyes, already loaded with talent, now had a future star who could elevate their offense to new heights. Meanwhile, the Beavers, Longhorns, and even Alabama fans were left wondering what could have been.
As Jax donned the scarlet and gray hat, Ryan Day smiled, knowing he’d just secured the piece that could take the Buckeyes from contend
ers to champions.