Elijah Newman-Hall, 2028 Running Back, Picks Ohio State Football

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Buckeye Nation got some exciting news today! Elijah Newman-Hall, a talented running back from the class of 2028, just announced he’s joining the Ohio State Buckeyes. The young star from Blake High School in Tampa, Florida, made his choice after shining at Ohio State’s recruiting camp earlier this week. It’s a huge early win for running backs coach Carlos Locklyn and the Buckeyes, who are already building something special for the future.

A Rising Star from Tampa

The 6-foot, 200-pound bruiser has just begun to stir up interest as he is entering his freshman year at high school with limitless potential. He hasn’t yet been ranked by the major recruiting sites such as 247Sports, but the offers are already pouring in from the likes of Florida Atlantic, FIU, South Florida, UCF, and Wake Forest—Wake Forest, dear reader, that is something special! The mere fact that he chose Ohio State over those programs only ensures that he truly believes in what the Buckeyes are creating.

Connecting at Camp

The kid had a blast at Ohio State’s summer camp in Columbus, where he got to show off his skills and vibe with the coaching staff. Word is, he really hit it off with Coach Locklyn, who’s been doing an awesome job shaping the Buckeyes’ running back group. You might’ve heard Favour Akih, another recent running back commit, raving about the “brotherhood” and awesome culture at Ohio State. It’s not hard to imagine Elijah felt the same way, especially since he committed so quickly after his visit.

The Perfect Fit for the Buckeyes

Ohio State’s been all about finding versatile running backs who can run tough and catch passes out of the backfield, and Elijah fits that mold perfectly. He’s got the size and strength to bulldoze defenders, kind of like former Buckeye Mike Weber, who was a beast at keeping the offense moving. While we don’t have a ton of stats on Elijah yet since he’s so young, his frame and early buzz suggest he could be a game-changer down the road.

Kicking Off the 2028 Class

This commitment is a big deal because Elijah is the first recruit to jump on board for Ohio State’s 2028 class. That’s right—three years out, and the Buckeyes are already locking in talent! With no running backs committed yet for 2027, Elijah’s decision gives Ohio State a head start on building their future backfield. It’s pretty cool to see a kid this young bet on himself and a program like Ohio State.

Ohio State’s Recruiting Dominance

Under head coach Ryan Day, the Buckeyes have been killing it on the recruiting trail, pulling in top players from Ohio and beyond. Elijah’s commitment shows they’re still a magnet for talent, even from a football hotbed like Florida. Blake High School, where Elijah plays, has a history of producing great athletes, so he’s coming from a program that knows how to develop stars.

Fans Fired Up on X

X was buzzing this morning with fans hyped about the news. Recruiting insider Spencer Holbrook posted, “BOOM! Ohio State lands its first 2028 commit: RB Elijah Newman-Hall! This kid from Tampa camped in Columbus this week and is ready to be a Buckeye.” You can feel the excitement from fans who can’t wait to see what Elijah brings to the table.

A Bright Future Ahead

As Elijah keeps growing at Blake High, he’s got plenty of time to polish his game. With Ohio State’s track record of turning running backs like J.K. Dobbins and Ezekiel Elliott into NFL studs, he’s in great hands. For now, Buckeye fans are just thrilled to have this promising young talent in the fold.

The First Piece of the Puzzle

Here’s to Elijah Newman-Hall, the first piece of Ohio State’s 2028 puzzle. Keep an eye on this kid from Tampa—he’s got the makings of something special!

Sources: Eleven Warriors, Cleveland.com, Rivals.com, Buckeye Huddle, posts on X