Columbus, OH โ The Buckeyes just landed a big-time weapon.
2026 four-star tight end Ryner Swanson has officially flipped his commitment from BYU to Ohio State, sending shockwaves through the recruiting world and delivering a massive win for Ryan Day and the Buckeyesโ offensive future.
Swanson, a 6โ5โ, 235-pound dynamic pass-catcher out of Laguna Beach, California, originally committed to BYU last summer, citing his connection to the program’s culture and coaching staff. But following a recent unofficial visit to Columbus and an in-depth meeting with Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, the talented tight end had a change of heart.
โThis was one of the hardest decisions of my life,โ Swanson said via his social media announcement. โBYU has been incredible to me, but after much prayer, family talks, and a lot of thought, Iโve decided to flip my commitment to THE Ohio State University. I believe in what theyโre building โ and I want to be part of it.โ
Swanson is ranked among the top five tight ends in the 2026 class and is known for his rare combination of size, athleticism, and route-running polish. His versatility as a hybrid tight end who can stretch the field or line up in the slot has drawn comparisons to former Buckeye and current NFL standout Jeremy Ruckert.
For Ohio State, the addition of Swanson is yet another big recruiting win in a 2026 cycle that’s quickly gaining national attention. With Kelly now shaping the offense, the program has placed renewed emphasis on developing tight ends โ something that clearly appealed to Swanson during his visit.
โHeโs a perfect fit for what weโre going to do,โ one Buckeye insider said. โSwanson is the type of player who can change a game plan. And getting him out of BYUโs grip was no small task.โ
Meanwhile, the reaction in Provo has been one of disappointment but understanding. BYU head coach Kalani Sitake acknowledged the flip in a brief statement: โRyner is a great young man. We wish him nothing but the best as he follows his path.โ
Ohio State fans quickly took to social media to welcome their new weapon, flooding Swansonโs announcement post with โO-Hโ chants and predictions of future touchdowns in The Shoe.
With his commitment now firm, Ryner Swanson becomes another crucial piece in whatโs shaping up to be a top-tier 2026 class in Columbus โ and a reminder that the Buckeyes are always in the hunt for the nationโs elite talent.