Ohio State’s search for a 2027 running back remains open after missing on in-state prospect Jordan Hall, who committed to Penn State. The next decision arrives quickly. Florida running back Tranard Roberts is scheduled to announce his college choice on October 26, with Ohio State, Georgia, Miami, and North Carolina listed as his finalists. Most public projections currently lean toward North Carolina, but the Buckeyes remain in the mix after hosting him earlier this fall.
Why Ohio State Needs a 2027 Running Back
The Buckeyes entered the cycle without a high-school running back commitment in the 2027 class. They missed on five-star David Gabriel Georges earlier and then lost Hall, who had become their top remaining high-school target at the position. The staff has indicated it would prefer to land two backs in the class. With the early signing period approaching, the window to add a high-school prospect is narrowing.
A commitment from Roberts would fill an immediate hole in the class and give the program a developmental option for the future. Ohio State’s current roster has capable backs, but adding a high-school player provides longer-term depth and continuity in the backfield. Without one, the staff would likely need to rely more heavily on flips of already committed prospects or address the position later through the transfer portal.
What Roberts Brings
Roberts is a 5-foot-11.5, roughly 195-pound running back from The Villages Charter School in Florida. Rankings place him as a three-star prospect, generally in the No. 30–40 range among running backs nationally and among the top uncommitted backs in Florida on some boards. He holds offers from a long list of Power Four programs.
His production has been efficient when healthy. As a senior he has posted strong per-carry numbers and multiple touchdowns. Previous seasons showed similar efficiency in limited carries, including productive stretches at IMG Academy and as a freshman. He has also shown the ability to contribute in the passing game. Recruiting services and observers note his speed and burst; he has been timed in the low 4.4 range in the forty and has produced long runs that highlight his big-play ability.
After an unofficial visit to Ohio State earlier in the fall, Roberts told 247Sports that the Buckeyes made it clear he was a priority, saying he was “number one on their board” at the time. That visit gave both sides a chance to evaluate the fit in person. Ohio State running backs coach Carlos Locklyn and the staff have continued to recruit him as one of the remaining options on their board.
What He Could Offer Ohio State
If Roberts chooses the Buckeyes, he would arrive as a prospect with proven efficiency and speed. His ability to average high yards per carry in high school suggests he can create explosive plays when given space. That skill set could complement Ohio State’s offensive line and scheme, which have historically created opportunities for backs who can get downhill and finish runs.
He would also add another body to a backfield that the staff has been trying to build for the future. As a three-star with room to develop, he would not be expected to start immediately, but he could contribute in a rotation or special-teams role early while growing into a larger role. His versatility as a receiver out of the backfield gives the offense an additional option in the passing game.
Landing him would also give the 2027 class its first running back and reduce the urgency to flip another prospect late in the cycle. It would not solve every depth question, but it would address the clearest remaining gap on the high-school side.
The Decision
Roberts has four finalists and is expected to announce on October 26. Public crystal balls and industry predictions have favored North Carolina in recent days, though recruiting decisions can shift late. Ohio State has shown consistent interest, hosted him, and positioned him as a priority at different points in the process.
Whether he chooses the Buckeyes or one of the other finalists, his decision will clarify one piece of Ohio State’s remaining 2027 running back picture. The staff still has other names on the board, including potential flips, but Roberts represents one of the last uncommitted high-school options they have actively pursued this fall. The announcement will determine whether the Buckeyes can fill the spot with a prospect they have evaluated in person or whether they will continue looking elsewhere.
