What 2025 four-star offensive tackle Carter Lowe’s commitment means for Ohio State

Lowe, the No. 79 overall player in the 247Sports composite rankings, is rated as the No. 9 offensive tackle and the No. 3 player in the state of Ohio. And for what Lowe brings to the field, and what he brings to Ohio State’s class, the addition is hard to overstate.

Lowe, of Whitmer High School in Toledo, is a remarkably athletic left tackle. Focused on basketball when he was younger, he’s gotten tremendous footwork at least in part from that and projects to be a high-level tackle in the Big Ten. He’s 315 pounds and 6-foot-5, but while he’s a bigger body, he carries the weight well enough to get out in space.

For a Buckeye group that needs elite tackle play, Lowe fits the mold.

He is the first offensive line commit for Ohio State in the 2025 class, and the second top 100 offensive line commit in the last four cycles. The only other player to earn that distinction was Luke Montgomery (No. 92) in the 2023 class. Lowe is also, as of his commitment, the highest-rated offensive line commitment since Donovan Jackson committed in 2021.

It was a major win for offensive line coach Justin Frye, who Lowe and his family praised repeatedly on Saturday. While Lowe’s impact won’t be felt on Ohio State’s offensive line until, realistically, at least 2026, it’s a major win for an in-state prospect that had Alabama, Georgia and Michigan as finalists.

Ohio State’s class, which now ranks as the No. 3 class in the 247Sports rankings, needed a player like Lowe to help fill out the class. In what is shaping up to be a loaded defensive class (one that as of Lowe’s commitment, has three top 100 commits). Quarterback Tavien St. Clair (No. 56 overall) is already committed, as is wide receiver Jayvan Boggs (No. 195). Now, the Buckeyes hope they’ve got a dominant left tackle to go with that duo.

While there are more offensive line prospects to get into the mix, Ohio State has someone who it thinks can be a pillar of the class at a premier position. In adding Lowe, the Buckeyes have added to a group that lacked on the field in 2024. While Lowe’s impact won’t happen immediately, it’s certainly a start.