For James Franklin, building a powerhouse hinges on locking down top talent. But when Ryan Day and the Ohio State machine come calling, even the most secure commitments are suddenly up for grabs. Apparently, both head coaches have their sights locked on a four-star prospect in the Class of 2028.

It’s never a good sign for a program when Ryan Day enters the recruitment race. And James Franklin could learn that the hard way, as his recruiting plans for Za’Kari Johnson could face serious competition. The 6’1”, 175lb receiver plays for Plantation, a public high school. His performances last season on his varsity team have gained attention and offers from programs like Virginia Tech, Tennessee, Missouri, and now Ohio State.

Johnson shared the offer news in a post on X.

“Wowww!! Extremely blessed to receive an Offer From THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY!!❤️🤍#gobucks @tylerwaltonc4 @HBFATHLETES”

Johnson’s eye-popping production showcases his rare versatility. While he threw for 551 yards and 7 touchdowns at quarterback, he was even more electric on the ground, rushing for 777 yards and nine scores. That dual-threat ability extends to the other side of the ball, where he was a ball-hawking defender who even took an interception 95 yards.

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Those offensive numbers are impressive, but that is not what makes Za’Kari Johnson so special. It’s his ability to play versatile positions. Johnson considers himself an ATH (short for athlete). This means he has the skillset to play multiple spots, making him a more dynamic weapon than a traditional, single-position player, which places him in demand.

Still, he has two more years to go before finalizing a program. That would give Johnson ample time to polish his craft and look at the trajectory of the programs that were offered to make an informed choice. That in itself puts more pressure on James Franklin to deliver if he wants Johnson to come to Virginia amid interest from programs like Ohio State and Tennessee.

Securing top-tier talent like Johnson is critical for Day, especially as he faces pressure to maintain Ohio State’s elite status. While the Buckeyes have had a turbulent few seasons, some analysts, like Josh Pate, believe the program’s foundation remains the strongest in the nation.

Josh Pate hasn’t lost faith in Ryan Day yet

Ryan Day’s OSU really came close to beating the eventual CFP National Champions, Indiana, losing the game 10-13 and losing the chance to win the Big Ten title. However, even after the rollercoaster season that the Buckeyes went through, Josh Pate believes the Buckeyes are still the number one program in college football.

“I think Ohio State’s the top program in the country,” Josh Pate said on his show. “Ohio State is 37-6 over the past three years. They’ve got a national championship mixed in here. They are a top-five recruiting program in the country. They’re a very high-value portal program.”

They don’t need to flood themselves with a bunch of transfers because they recruit and develop very well. But they can be very selective, and they can be very effective in the transfer portal, and they’re just excellent at staffing. Just think about what’s happened within the past three years at Ohio State. Ohio State, as a program, has been resilient over the past several head coaches it’s had. So, it’s just been a winning program.”

While Ohio State’s long-term consistency is a powerful recruiting tool, the 2026 season will be a crucial test for Day. A championship run could be the final piece he needs to convince elite talents like Za’Kari Johnson that Columbus, not State College, is the best place to become a star.