Former Penn State commit announces new home with the Buckeyes

Wide receiver Jerquaden Guilford committed to Penn State football on Dec. 6, 2024 shortly after his late November unofficial visit, but backed down from his decision on Feb. 28 and reopened his recruitment.

Guilford was originally ranked as a three-star recruit, but was bumped to four-star territory. He's currently listed as the No. 315 overall class of 2026 recruit, No. 50 overall wide receiver, and No. 1 recruit out of Indiana.

On July 18, Guilford announced his new commitment to Ohio State. After decommitting from head coach James Franklin's program, the wide receiver scheduled official visits with Indiana, Purdue, Michigan, Ole Miss, and the Buckeyes. As his decision neared, Ohio State appeared to be the most likely option for the Guilford. The Rebels, Wolverines, and home-state Hoosiers were his other three finalists ahead of his announcement.

"Well-rounded outside receiver who can create separation at all three levels of the defense and stretch the field vertically," Hudson Smith wrote in his scouting report of the rising senior. ". . . Meager production as a sophomore and junior compared to some of the top wide receivers in the 2026 cycle, underlined by an 11.4% catch-to-touchdown conversion rate.

". . . Possesses the physical tools and position-specific skill to potentially see a massive leap in production as a senior. Should be viewed as a traits-heavy outside receiver with the ability to contort his body and make acrobatic snags at the catch point. Has multi-year Power Four starter upside and the physical clay to one day merit NFL Draft consideration."

Though he was already decomitted from Penn State, losing a third commit in the 2026 recruitment cycle is worrisome for the Nittany Lions.

Three-star offensive tackle Roseby Lubintus was the next most recent flip that went with the Syracuse Orange on July 9. Four-star quarterback Peyton Falzone announced his second flip of the cycle after choosing Penn State over his first home, Virginia Tech, on June 26. Falzone committed to Auburn, leaving the Nittany Lions behind with just one quarterback to work with from the class.

Penn State currently has the No. 16 overall recruitment class of 2026 with 24 commits, none of which are five-stars. Four-star Davion Brown and three-stars Jahsiear Rogers and Lavar Keys are the only wideouts the Nittany Lions have committed from the class, but nothing is official until the signing period.

“I want to be special so I got to join a special program. An elite program. I want to be an elite receiver," Guilford said, according to On3. "Elite receivers go to Ohio State.”