Maxwell Riley, 5-star offensive tackle, 'extremely impressed' by Ohio State visit; Clemson, Florida State up next

The college football recruiting world would be hard-pressed to find an uncommitted recruit who is more common face at one campus than Avon Lake (Ohio) star Maxwell Riley at Ohio State University. 

Rated the nation's No. 14 overall prospect and No. 3 offensive tackle in the class of 2026, Riley has made six short trips to Ohio State in the past eight months, including last weekend's visit for the Buckeyes' 20-12 victory over Penn State.

"Overall, my visit was great," he said. "They beat their second top-10 team this year, which I think speaks volume. I know myself and a lot of the other recruits were extremely impressed." 

While the exact details of the trip was different this time around, Riley said the main takeaway was the same.

"They just keep making a great impression on me and my family," he said.

Next up for the coveted offensive tackle is a November 4 visit to Clemson and a November 11 trip to Florida State.

Riley has been encouraged by the tone of the Clemson program so far.

"(I) love their emphasis on faith and family," he said. "I got down there over the summer, and the campus and facilities were amazing. They have been a great program over the past decade or so. I’m also very close with coach (Thomas) Austin and coach (Carson) Cramer." 

As for Florida State, Riley visited in the summer and wants to get an up-close look at the ascending program.

"I really love their coaching staff and have close relationships with a lot of them," he said. "They’ve been doing great this season, and their program is still on the rise."