Ohio Senior and Junior Spotlight: Emerging Stars

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>By Mike Robinson – Prep Redzone Ohio</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ohio continues to produce football talent at an impressive rate, and the next wave of leaders is already beginning to make noise. From versatile tight ends to a physical linebacker and a newly committed athlete, these four players are poised to draw even more attention as we head into the 2025 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1687475' first='Brody' last='Close'] – TE/WR/DE – Toronto HS (Class of 2027)</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Twitter/X:</strong> <a>@brody_close</a> | <strong>Hudl:</strong> <a>Profile</a><br>Close is a versatile athlete with the size and skill to line up as a tight end, wide receiver, or defensive end. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound junior already holds an FBS offer from Miami (OH) and boasts a 3.8 GPA. On film, Close flashes reliable hands, smooth movement in space, and a willingness to block at the point of attack. Defensively, he shows good length and range off the edge, making him a true two-way threat. With another year of development ahead of him, Close is quickly becoming one of the more intriguing underclassmen in Eastern Ohio.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>D'Angelo White – TE – Villa Angela-St. Joseph (VASJ) (Class of 2027)</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Twitter/X:</strong> <a>@dangelowhite82</a> | <strong>Hudl:</strong> <a>Profile</a><br>Standing 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, White is one of the premier tight ends in the Midwest. He's already drawn offers from Ohio State, Alabama, Michigan, Auburn, and several other Power Five programs. White is a mismatch nightmare, using his frame and strong hands to make contested catches while also showing promise as an in-line blocker. Entering his junior season, White has the recruiting profile of a national-level prospect who will be a name to know for years to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>James McGhee – LB – Eastmoor Academy (Class of 2026)</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Twitter/X:</strong> <a>@james2officxal</a> | <strong>Hudl:</strong> <a>Profile</a><br>McGhee enters his senior season as a proven playmaker in the middle of Eastmoor's defense. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound linebacker already holds two Division I offers and has the frame and skill set to thrive at the next level. McGhee plays with downhill aggression and reads keys well, making him an ideal fit as a run-stopping linebacker. His improved sideline-to-sideline range and physicality make him a candidate for a breakout senior year that could attract additional recruiting attention this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1569442' first='Ta'John' last='Royster'] – RB/ATH – Columbus East (Class of 2026, Youngstown State Commit)</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Twitter/X:</strong> <a>@t_royster21</a> | <strong>Hudl:</strong> <a>Profile</a><br>Royster, now entering his senior year, recently committed to Youngstown State, becoming one of the first players in Ohio's 2026 class to secure his college future. A dynamic athlete, Royster excels both as a running back and in slot receiver roles, demonstrating excellent change-of-direction skills and the ability to create plays in open space. His commitment gives Youngstown State an explosive offensive weapon who still has one final high school season to polish his already impressive skill set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Bottom Line</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Ohio high school football pipeline remains strong, and these players represent just a fraction of the talent coming through. With the recruiting process accelerating earlier each year, prospects like Close, White, McGhee, and Royster are proving that Ohio's future college stars are already putting in the work to be noticed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->