There’s a new hot prospect on the cards for a lucky taker.
Introducing four-star prospect offensive tackle Maxwell Riley, standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing in at 280 pounds.
After being pursued by the likes of Alabama, Florida State and Oklahoma, he is down to the final two, and the offers from both teams are very compelling. The Ohio State Buckeyes, the now-reigning national champions, or the Clemson Tigers.
“Thank you to all the schools that dedicated their time and resources towards recruiting me. With that being said, I’ll be making my college decision between The Ohio State University and Clemson University,” Riley posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
According to 247Sports, Riley is the No. 7-ranked offensive lineman in the class of 2025. The Avon Lake, Ohio, native has a clear option in the Buckeyes, and he had nothing but praise for the 2025 national champions. “I grew up watching them being an Ohio kid,” Riley told Sports Illustrated. “I really like the coach—and the culture there is exceptional.”
The junior has visited Ohio State unofficially six times since 2023. He has had multiple meetings with O-line coach Justin Frye and has a “healthy” relationship with him.
While the Buckeyes seem like the natural fit for the Ohio native, Clemson has put forth a very strong case. The two-time all-state player praised the Tigers following his decision to keep them in the running for his services.
Earlier in the season, Matt Luke, Clemson’s O-line coach showed the standards he holds his offensive line to.
“When I build an offensive line, I want them to play hard, finish every play, and leave fans saying, ‘These guys give it their all,” Luke said at the beginning of the season.
The 6-foot-5, 280-pound lineman’s skills align perfectly with the needs of both Clemson and Ohio State, making his decision one of the most closely watched storylines in this recruiting cycle. As national signing day approaches, the question remains: Will Riley choose to stay home with the Buckeyes, or will he head south to join the Tigers?
