COLUMBUS, Ohio — Building strong relationships played a significant role in the decision-making process for 2025 offensive lineman Carter Lowe, and it’s a primary factor behind the four-star tackle’s choice of Ohio State on Saturday.
Lowe, ranked as the No. 79 overall player in the class according to the 247Sports composite rankings, hails from Toledo, an area in close proximity to both Ann Arbor and Columbus, making it a crucial recruiting ground for both programs. Despite the geographical proximity, Lowe emphasized that his connection with Ohio State’s offensive line coach Justin Frye was exceptional. Ohio State was the first Power Five program to offer him, and they maintained communication with him consistently throughout the entire recruitment process.
Lowe highlighted the distinction between receiving an early offer and sustaining ongoing communication, noting that despite early offers from other schools, the consistency of contact was not always present. Regarding Michigan, Lowe expressed early interest in the Wolverines, particularly appreciating coach Sherrone Moore. However, he pointed out that the relationship with Moore didn’t remain as engaging as he desired.
Although the Wolverines briefly held the lead in Lowe’s considerations, Ohio State surged ahead during the summer and never relinquished its position. By the Penn State game in October, Lowe was confident that Ohio State was his preferred choice for college. With Lowe, a projected tackle, Ohio State adds a substantial prospect to the 2025 class. The Buckeyes, actively seeking linemen of Lowe’s caliber, successfully secured a commitment just two hours from Columbus.
For Frye and coach Ryan Day, the emphasis on relationship-building proved instrumental in keeping Lowe highly engaged with Ohio State.
“I went to UM, I went there, they don’t do a good job recruiting off-campus,” Lowe remarked. “I noticed that, so that was probably a big reason I started leaning toward Ohio State.”
