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Ohio high school football rankings: Columbus-area Top 10 poll for Week 10

Published

1 year ago

October 22, 2024

Ohio high school football rankings: Columbus-area Top 10 poll for Week 10

Staff reports
| Columbus Dispatch

With one week to play in the 2024 regular season, Watterson is a unanimous No. 1 in the central Ohio high school football Top 10 poll.

It’s also the sixth consecutive week at No. 1 for the undefeated Eagles, who may have to beat DeSales on Friday to hold the ranking and win our poll championship. The winner of the Watterson-DeSales matchup captures the CCL title.

Our second- and third-ranked teams, Pickerington North and Olentangy Orange, also play rivalry games this week against Gahanna Lincoln and Olentangy Liberty, respectively. North (OCC-Ohio) and Orange (OCC-Central) also are playing for league titles, and perhaps one jumps up to No. 1 with a win and a Watterson loss.

The central Ohio Top 10 poll ranks teams regardless of division. Each voter submits a Top 10 with a first-place vote worth 10 points, a second-place vote worth nine and so on down to one point for 10th.

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Columbus-area high school football 2024 Top 10 poll for Week 10

Below is the poll as selected by USA Today Network staff and contributors. A unanimous selection is 90 points:

1. Watterson (9-0), 90 points, nine first-place votes. Last game: Def. Harrison 51-14. Next game: Friday vs. DeSales at Ohio Dominican. Last week: No. 1

2. Pickerington North (8-1), 76 points. Last game: Def. New Albany 34-14. Next game: Friday vs. Gahanna. Last week: No. 2

3. Olentangy Orange (8-1), 72 points. Last game: Def. Hilliard Bradley 35-10. Next game: Friday vs. Olentangy Liberty. Last week: No. 3

4. Olentangy Liberty (7-2), 57 points. Last game: Def. Hilliard Davidson 32-7. Next game: Friday at Orange. Last week: No. 4 (tie)

5. Big Walnut (8-1), 47 points. Last game: Def. Dublin Scioto 38-10. Next game: Friday vs. Westland. Last week: No. 4 (tie)

6. Upper Arlington (7-2), 44 points. Last game: Def. Dublin Coffman 38-13. Next game: Friday at Davidson. Last week: No. 6

7. Olentangy (8-1), 29 points. Last game: Def. Dublin Jerome 42-34. Next game: Friday at Olentangy Berlin. Last week: No. 7

8. Westland (8-1), 20 points. Last game: Def. Delaware Hayes 48-28. Next game: Friday at Big Walnut. Last week: No. 10

9 (tie). DeSales (8-1), 18 points. Last game: Def. Cincinnati Northwest 38-6. Next game: Friday vs. Watterson at Ohio Dominican. Last week: No. 9

9 (tie). Harvest Prep (6-2), 18 points. Last game: Lost to Cincinnati La Salle 28-14. Next game: Friday at KIPP Columbus. Last week: No. 8

Also receiving votes: Gahanna 12, Davidson 5, Berlin 3, Pickerington Central 2, Walnut Ridge 2

Dropped out: None

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This rising sophomore has an important offseason ahead of him for Ohio State football

Published

4 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

This rising sophomore has an important offseason ahead of him for Ohio State football

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The conversation around Ohio State football’s championship aspirations often centers on offensive firepower, but a sophomore cornerback might play an important role in helping the Buckeyes accomplish their goals next season.

Devin Sanchez arrived in Columbus as the nation’s top cornerback recruit, and after a freshman season where he earned meaningful snaps in critical moments, the expectations have escalated.

No longer is it enough for Sanchez to be a reliable contributor. He must take a step toward becoming a true lockdown corner who can eliminate one side of the field.

“Is Devin Sanchez ready to be the dude because he’s going to have to be,” co-host Stefan Krajisnik said on Buckeye Talk. “I don’t mean is he ready to be a reliable starter — I mean it’s time… to be a dude. I don’t think it’s putting unrealistic expectations on a guy like Devin Sanchez to be an All-Big Ten first team caliber-type guy.”

The coaching staff has demonstrated their belief in Sanchez’s potential by giving him high-leverage opportunities against elite competition as a true freshman. Against Texas last season, while other freshmen barely saw the field, Sanchez was trusted in critical moments – a telling sign of the program’s expectations.

Next season’s rematch with Texas will provide an opportunity to see how much progress Sanchez has made since the last time he faced the Longhorns.

As co-host Andrew Gillis put it, “Is he ready to announce himself to the world as lock down?”

The transformation starts now. Co-host Stephen Means made it clear that spring practice represents a crucial development period.

“We should be walking away from spring practice thinking that’s the best cornerback in the Big Ten and his only competition is (Oregon’s) Brandon Finney,” Means said. “That should be the goal for Devin.”

What makes Sanchez’s development so critical is how it affects the entire defensive structure. If he can become that elite cornerback who eliminates one side of the field, it changes what Ohio State can do with their other 10 defenders. It allows for more aggressive pressure packages, more safety help to other areas, and ultimately, a more disruptive defense.

For Ohio State fans, Sanchez’s development represents one of the most fascinating storylines to follow this offseason. His progression from promising freshman to elite sophomore could be the difference between a playoff appearance and a national championship.

Here’s the podcast for this week:

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Ohio State true freshman offensive lineman set to enter transfer portal

Published

16 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

Ohio State true freshman offensive lineman set to enter transfer portal

Updated: Jan. 07, 2026, 3:50 p.m.
Published: Jan. 07, 2026, 3:48 p.m.

One of Ohio State’s true freshmen along the offensive line is set to enter the portal, as Tyler Bowen is set to enter his second season as line coach.Getty Images

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State freshman offensive lineman Jayvon McFadden is set to enter the transfer portal, per a report on Wednesday afternoon.

He was a member of the 2025 recruiting class as a four-star recruit and the No. 391 overall prospect in the 247Sports composite. McFadden appeared in one game for Ohio State this season, and played 15 snaps.

The Buckeyes now have just two members of the OL class in 2025 left — offensive tackle Carter Lowe and interior lineman Jake Cook.

Ohio State was unlikely to have McFadden enter the two-deep in the 2026 season, considering what talent the team is expected to have come back to the roster.

A wild transfer portal continues to march on for Ohio State.

Andrew Gillis covers Ohio State football and recruiting for Cleveland.com. He provides updates on Ohio State football as a whole, its prospects and the Buckeyes each week. He previously covered the Bengals for…

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Ohio State’s Carnell Tate declares for NFL draft after standout season

Published

1 day ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

Ohio State’s Carnell Tate declares for NFL draft after standout season

Ohio State standout wide receiver Carnell Tate announced on Tuesday he is leaving school early to declare for the NFL draft.

Tate announced his decision on social media. The junior had 51 receptions for 875 yards and nine touchdowns this season as he became a deep threat in the Buckeyes’ passing attack.

Tate — an AP second-team All-American — had nine receptions of at least 40 yards, tied for third in the Football Bowl Subdivision, including five touchdowns. After missing three games in November because of lower leg tightness, Tate returned against Michigan and put the game out of reach with a 50-yard TD that made it 24-9 midway through the third quarter.

“I’m proud of everything I’ve accomplished at Ohio State and will carry the lessons, relationships, and memories from this program with me forever,” Tate wrote.

Tate is expected to become the sixth OSU receiver selected in the first round since 2022, joining Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave (2022), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (2023), Marvin Harrison Jr. (2024) and Emeka Egbuka (2025).

Ohio State’s offense will have some changes after finishing 12-2 and losing to Miami in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl. Besides Tate’s departure, offensive coordinator and receivers coach Brian Hartline has become the head coach at South Florida.

Coach Ryan Day announced last week he hired Cortez Hankton as receivers coach. Hankton had spent four seasons at LSU, including the past two as receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator.

Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate runs after making a catch against Miami during the first half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal game Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. Credit: AP/Gareth Patterson

Day though remains in the market for an offensive coordinator.

Even with Tate’s departure, the Buckeyes will have plenty of talent in the passing game. First-team All-American Jeremiah Smith will be back for one more season along with quarterback Julian Sayin. Five-star prospect Chris Henry Jr. committed to the Buckeyes during the early signing period.

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