Ohio State Receives Exciting Update on Top WR Recruit

Ohio State remains in the mix for one of the more intriguing wide receivers in the 2028 class.

Four-star prospect Malachi Lee recently trimmed his list to 12 schools, and the Buckeyes made the cut alongside Oregon, Michigan, Nebraska, USC, Texas A&M, Rutgers, Miami, Virginia Tech, UCLA, Florida and Arizona State.

That is not a commitment. It is still a meaningful update for a program that has built its recent identity around developing elite receivers.

Who Malachi Lee Is

Lee is a 6-foot-2, 185-pound receiver from Loudoun Sports Academy in Leesburg, Virginia. He previously played at Westfield High School in Chantilly.

247Sports ranks him as the No. 67 player nationally and the No. 9 wide receiver in the 2028 class. The 247Sports Composite has him even higher: No. 40 overall and No. 8 at receiver. Rivals lists him as the No. 1 player in Virginia.

As a sophomore at Westfield, he caught 69 passes for 978 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also contributed on defense with 57 tackles and seven interceptions.

Why Ohio State Made the Cut

Lee has already been to Columbus. He performed well enough at Ohio State’s summer camps and 7-on-7 events that Ryan Day and receivers coach Cortez Hankton offered him after watching him separate on short, intermediate and deep routes.

That early exposure matters. Lee is still more than a year from signing, and he has said early playing time and a strong family connection will be major factors. He expects to announce a decision around April.

Ohio State’s pitch is straightforward. The same receiver room that produced Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka and Jaxon Smith-Njigba now features Jeremiah Smith, who had 76 catches for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns as a freshman in 2024, then 87 catches for 1,243 yards and 12 scores in 2025.

For a recruit evaluating development and NFL outcomes, that pipeline is the Buckeyes’ strongest argument.

The Competition Is Real

Ohio State is not alone, and it is not clearly ahead.

Industry tracking has shown Rutgers with early momentum, followed by Ohio State, Michigan and Nebraska. Lee already has a Virginia Tech visit scheduled and has said Texas A&M and Michigan visits are being planned.

Several schools on the list can offer different schemes, closer geography or a clearer path to early snaps. Lee has been clear that he wants a place that feels like home, not just a famous logo.

What Happens Next

The next phase is fall and winter visits. Lee has already seen Ohio State in a camp setting. The Buckeyes will want a full game-day trip to Ohio Stadium if they are going to stay in the final group.

Making the top 12 keeps Ohio State alive. Turning that into a real lead will take more time with Lee and his family, plus a strong 2026 season in Columbus.

The Bigger Picture

Ohio State does not need every 2028 receiver on the board. The staff already has five-star Jett Harrison committed and continues to evaluate other high-end targets. Landing Lee would still be a significant addition because of his size, production and two-way background.

For now, the update is simple: the Buckeyes survived the first major cut. The hard part of the recruitment is still ahead.

13. FAQ Section

Did Malachi Lee commit to Ohio State?
No. He only included Ohio State in a top-12 list.

Where does Lee go to high school?
Loudoun Sports Academy in Leesburg, Virginia. He previously played at Westfield.

What is Lee’s ranking?
No. 67 nationally and No. 9 WR by 247Sports; No. 40 overall and No. 8 WR in the Composite.

Which schools made his top 12?
Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan, Nebraska, USC, Texas A&M, Rutgers, Miami, Virginia Tech, UCLA, Florida and Arizona State.

When could he decide?
He has said he expects to announce around April.

Reader Question

Do you think Ohio State’s receiver pipeline is enough to beat out Rutgers, Michigan and Nebraska for Malachi Lee?