Florida’s Neimann Lawrence is already thinking like a Buckeye, and the 2028 recruitment class hasn’t even officially started.
Even as a high school sophomore, the rising quarterback is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after prospects in the class. During a recent visit to Columbus, he clarified why Ohio State is firmly on his radar. Following his statement, the Buckeyes might have the edge in a starting recruitment battle.
Ohio State Makes Strong Impression on 2028 QB Recruit Neimann Lawrence
Looking at Ohio State’s current pipeline from every class, the Buckeyes have consistently recruited top-tier talent from South Florida, especially positions like wide receiver and running back. In the 2028 class, Lawrence could be the next big name to join that Florida-to-Columbus connection.
Why? Even before the official recruitment begins, the Miami Northwestern standout is already impressed with Ohio State’s quarterback system. The sophomore has demonstrated a strong interest and has shown early signs of it.
Given that he’s a Florida native, you might expect in-state schools like the Gators or Miami Hurricanes to have an edge. But Florida hasn’t produced many five-star quarterbacks in recent years. So, the rising quarterback doesn’t appear to lean heavily toward either local powerhouse.
Lawrence, who already has offers from programs like Florida, Michigan, and Texas, recently attended a one-day camp at Ohio State. He threw passes in front of the entire coaching staff, including head coach Ryan Day. Seeing the defending national champions from that close was a big opportunity, and he was impressed.
“Just their rich QB history,” Lawrence told reporters after the visit. “For the past five or six years, they’ve had the best quarterbacks come out of here. Just the QB development and the quarterbacks they have helped reach the next level.”
Ohio State 2028 target Neimann Lawrence (@NEIMANLAWRENCE1) on the Buckeyes’s quarterback development:
“For the past five, six years, they’ve had the best quarterbacks come out of here.” https://t.co/Wswq6thdZq
Stephen Means (@Stephen_Means) June 18, 2025
He praised the staff’s attention to detail and intensity, saying, “Just being here the last two hours, I know I had to come up and get some work with these guys. They’re very hard on you, and I can tell they’ll get everything out of you.”
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The 6-foot-1, 202-pound signal-caller has already played two varsity seasons. He threw for 2,851 yards and 31 touchdowns as a freshman at Everglades High School before transferring to Northwestern, where he will be coached by former NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
If Lawrence does join Ohio State’s 2028 class, he won’t likely be alone. His wide receiver friend Eric McFarland, who is also from Florida, is considering Ohio State as one of his top choices. Maybe we will see the pair together in Buckeyes jerseys in the future.
