Ohio State football recruiting continues to show its strength even in future classes. One of the early highlights of the 2028 cycle is the commitment of talented running back Elijah Newman-Hall, and his recent workout with Buckeyes running backs coach Carlos Locklyn only reinforced why the staff moved quickly on him.
Who Is Elijah Newman-Hall?
Elijah Newman-Hall (sometimes listed as Elijah Hall) is a 2028 running back from Blake High School in Tampa, Florida. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound prospect committed to Ohio State in mid-June 2025 after a strong performance at a Buckeyes camp.
As a freshman, he rushed for nearly 900 yards and 8 touchdowns in limited varsity action while also contributing on defense. Recruiting analysts praised his combination of size, speed, elusiveness, and athleticism.
The Carlos Locklyn Workout That Sealed the Deal
In June, Newman-Hall attended one of Ohio State’s one-day camps and worked directly with running backs coach Carlos Locklyn. Observers described him as standing out immediately:
- Impressive speed and burst.
- Natural balance and vision when running between the tackles.
- Strong, well-built frame for a player his age.
Locklyn, known for his aggressive recruiting approach, had offered Newman-Hall earlier, and the camp performance confirmed he was the real deal. Newman-Hall committed shortly after, becoming one of Ohio State’s first 2028 pledges.
What We Learned About Ohio State RB Recruiting in June
June was a busy month for the Buckeyes on the recruiting trail, especially at the running back position. Key takeaways:
- Early Investment in Future Classes — While many programs wait, Ohio State is already securing high-upside talent for 2028. Landing a back like Newman-Hall early shows the staff’s confidence in their evaluation process.
- Carlos Locklyn’s Influence — The running backs coach is building strong relationships and identifying talent before national rankings fully catch up. His camps are producing early commitments.
- Talent Pipeline — Ohio State continues to attract top running back prospects from across the country (Florida in this case), maintaining their reputation as a destination for skill-position players.
- Depth Strategy — With no 2027 RB commit at the time, adding Newman-Hall early helps build long-term depth behind current and near-future backs.
This move fits Ohio State’s pattern of proactive recruiting under Ryan Day — identifying difference-makers before they become household names.
Why This Matters for the Future of Buckeyes Football
Elijah Newman-Hall’s commitment and workout performance signal that Ohio State’s running back room will remain competitive and talented for years to come. As the 2026 and 2027 classes develop, Newman-Hall could eventually join a backfield that has a strong tradition of producing NFL talent (think Ezekiel Elliott, TreVeyon Henderson, etc.).
Fans should keep an eye on this young back early commitments like his often turn into stars by the time they step on campus.
What do you think about Ohio State’s early 2028 recruiting moves? Is Elijah Newman-Hall going to be a future star in Columbus? Drop your thoughts in the comments
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