Four-star DL commits to Ohio State over Michigan, Oregon and others

It's always a good day in Columbus when Ohio State Buckeyes land a recruit over the Michigan Wolverines.

Landing a recruit over Michigan and programs like Oregon and Wisconsin, though? Well, that's a massive win for Ryan Day and his staff.

That was the case with Maxwell Roy, a four-star defensive lineman from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Roy, the No. 19 defensive lineman in the 2025 class, according to 247Sports, committed to Ohio State over a list of top schools that included Oregon and Wisconsin, but also featured Duke and Rutgers.

Roy felt there was a connection to Ohio State from the get-go, with much of that having to do with the pipeline the Buckeyes have with his high school, St. Joseph's Prep.

“It starts with the great relationship our high school has with Ohio State,” Roy told On3 . “From Isaiah West to Marvin Harrison Jr. to Kyle McCord, we have a great connection with the people at Ohio State. Then for me, it is where I feel I can be my my best. Going to play for (associate head coach/defensive line coach) Larry Johnson, he has the stats that back up him developing me as a player and making me the best I can be."

Roy also felt that Ohio State was the best place for him developmentally — and especially if he wants to be a champion, and that's tough to argue.

“At Ohio State, I feel they can make me the best player, man and student. They have a great culture, coach Ryan Day is about winning championships and Ohio State has the culture I am looking for," he said.

With the addition of Roy, Ohio State's No. 1 ranked class has gotten even stronger. He goes down as Day's 22nd 2025 commitment. Three of those recruits are five-stars, while 12 boast a four-star ranking.