The Ohio State Buckeyes are off to a remarkable beginning with their 2026 recruiting class, assembling an impressive group of young talent that has the potential to carry on the program’s storied legacy. However, despite the early success, one major piece is still missing from the puzzle — a quarterback. The Buckeyes are continuing their pursuit of a signal-caller who could potentially become the future face of the offense. As part of that effort, the program recently hosted a key target: four-star quarterback Jett Thomalla.
According to a report from On3’s Mick Walker, Thomalla, one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2026 class, was on campus in Columbus for a visit. The trip appears to have made quite an impression on the young quarterback, who came away with glowing feedback about his experience with the Buckeye staff and facilities.
“It was great,” Thomalla told Walker after his visit. “I got to know Coach Fess and his coaching style. I was able to sit in on the quarterback meetings and see how they go through their preparation. I also had the chance to watch a spring practice and check out the facilities. It was all very impressive. Talking with Coach Day was also a really cool experience. Ohio State is a fantastic place.”
Thomalla, who is currently listed at 6-foot-4 and 185 pounds, emphasized how much he enjoyed observing Ohio State quarterbacks coach Billy Fessler at work. He praised Fessler’s attention to detail and his ability to connect with the players in his quarterback room. “I loved watching Coach Fess in action,” Thomalla said. “He’s really involved with the guys, and you can see the level of care and precision he brings to each rep. That was definitely one of the highlights for me.”
The visit also gave Thomalla an opportunity to spend time with head coach Ryan Day, a former quarterback himself who has built a reputation for developing elite talent at the position. According to Thomalla, Day expressed genuine interest in his game and indicated that the staff is keeping a close eye on his development.
“He told me they’re seriously evaluating me,” Thomalla explained. “He said he likes my film, especially the way I throw the deep corner route. That meant a lot coming from a coach like him. It was great to meet him and talk football.”
Thomalla enters his senior year at Millard South High School in Omaha, Nebraska, where he’ll look to further elevate his game and solidify his status as one of the premier quarterback prospects in the country. According to the 247 Sports composite rankings, he is currently rated as the No. 1 overall prospect in the state of Nebraska, the No. 20 quarterback nationally, and a top 300 player overall in the 2026 class.
Ohio State’s 2026 recruiting class is already shaping up to be one of the best in the nation. The Buckeyes currently sit at No. 3 in the national team rankings, trailing only the USC Trojans and the Clemson Tigers. While they’ve made strong early additions across various positions, securing a quarterback remains a top priority — and Thomalla is clearly one of the top names on their radar.
If the Buckeyes are able to land a commitment from the talented Nebraska native, it would mark a major step toward completing a well-rounded and dynamic 2026 class. For now, Thomalla is continuing to evaluate his options, but Ohio State certainly made a strong impression — and the interest appears to be mutual.B
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