Ohio class of 2026 Division II Recruiting Update

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've focused on the Division I level for recruiting news because those schools typically secure commitments earliest in the recruiting yearly cycle. However, a handful of prospects have announced commitments or become priorities for Division II schools from Ohio's 2026 class. In this article we'll take a look at some commits and some other prospects who have been on Division II radars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Forwards headline commits</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All four of the Division II commits are currently forwards with size and versatility. [player_tooltip player_id='1708687' first='Ryan' last='Plantz'] of Genoa committed to Ashland, Plantz was terrific for the [program_tooltip program_id='2075761' first='Ohio' last='Buckets'] this summer on the EYCL circuit as a rim protector. His [program_tooltip program_id='2075761' first='Ohio' last='Buckets'] teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1429557' first='Cole' last='Albers'] committed to conference rival Hillsdale, focusing on basketball over his football offers he also held. Eastern Ohio studs each stayed close to home as [player_tooltip player_id='2109839' first='Griffin' last='Straub'] committed to IU-Pennsylvania and [player_tooltip player_id='2444628' first='Owen' last='Hill'] committed to West Liberty. These all-Ohio prospects are set to put up monster numbers as seniors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top prospects become Division II priorities</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another eastern Ohio standout has attracted Division II interest as [player_tooltip player_id='2426924' first='Carson' last='Davis'] holds offers to Gannon, Pitt Johnstown and Flagler. The Meigs forward also has Division I offers to Air Force and Jackson State. Cincinnati Wyoming has been a hot location for Division II schools as [player_tooltip player_id='2366691' first='Devin' last='Evans'] (Fairmont State) and [player_tooltip player_id='2366692' first='Carlyle' last='Billingsley'] (Ashland) hold offers, as well as point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1888254' first='Kellen' last='Wiley']. Wiley has Division I opportunities with an offer to Brown and a visit to the Ivy league program, but the star Wyoming point guard is also a GMAC priority with Ashland and Hillsdale offering him. [player_tooltip player_id='2317204' first='Bryan' last='Vlosich'] is in a similar situation to Wiley, holding an offer from Eastern Kentucky but also offers from Ashland and Cedarville, the Saint Edward wing is one of the top shooters in Ohio. Sticking in northeast Ohio, [player_tooltip player_id='2288543' first='Sean' last='Barnett'] has racked up three Division II offers from powerhouse programs. Gannon, Pitt Johnstown and Walsh have all offered the talented Brunswick guard who helps form maybe the best backcourt in the state next to IU Indy commit [player_tooltip player_id='1708688' first='Trey' last='Drexler']. The GMAC has been busy recruiting top Ohio talent as both Findlay and Walsh have offered Lima Shawnee wing [player_tooltip player_id='1950584' first='Beckett' last='Bertke']. Despite battling injuries this summer, [player_tooltip player_id='1879105' first='Brody' last='Fields'] has racked up four Division II offers from Point Park, Ohio Dominican, Concord and Pitt Johnstown. The Teays Valley guard can get hot in a hurry from downtown and is certain to add a scoring punch to whatever backcourt he commits to.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Prospects to watch at Division II level</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some notable names that have Division II interest and could make great fits at that level include Saint Ignatius sharpshooter [player_tooltip player_id='2461888' first='Alex' last='Mack'], a prospect who could be a winter stock riser after the Wildcats graduated two Division I commits in the class of 2025. [player_tooltip player_id='2309692' first='Andre' last='Young III'] from Toledo Whitmer is another prospect who could blossom after seeing a pair of Division I commits graduate from the Panthers. Jr Bates, a teammate of Young's with [program_tooltip program_id='2320052' first='All' last='Ohio Red'] this summer is another name to watch as the Pickerington North lead guard holds offers from Concord and Shawnee State. After a dominant junior season for Lima Central Catholic, I'm expecting [player_tooltip player_id='1888255' first='Jordan' last='Priddy'] to be one of the most productive players in northwest Ohio once again. Another strong season as a scorer and defender could add to his scholarship interest, feels like only a matter of time for him. Another small town guard I'd expect to see a recruiting spike is state champion [player_tooltip player_id='2386466' first='Gator' last='Nichols'] of Maysville. Finally, while we've mentioned a handful of forwards already off the board, Kha'z Simon could be a hot name for schools still looking for frontcourt depth at the scholarship level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->