Jul 12 min read

Buckeyes Add Massive Commit: Four-Star Maxwell Roy

Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson is staying hot on the recruiting trail as he hauls in his fifth defensive line prospect in the 2025 class, four-star Maxwell Roy. Johnson and Ryan Day have emphasized the importance of the defensive line in the 2025 cycle as they expect to lose quite a few current members of the DL to the NFL next year.

Roy told reporters he took his time on his decision to commit and wanted to weigh the pros and cons, but the idea of developing at Ohio State under coach Johnson was one that he could not pass up. Roy spoke to Letterman Row and said his time with Johnson was key in his recruiting.

"I spent a lot of time with Coach Johnson, and that was great because he's the top of the game at what he does," Roy said.

Scouting Maxwell Roy

Roy is a 6-foot-3, 270-pound defensive lineman from Philadelphia. He plays football at St. Joseph's Prep in Philly. Roy is ranked the No. 19 defensive lineman in the 2025 class according to 247Sports. He chose the Buckeyes over Michigan, Rutgers, Duke and Boston College. Roy is a multi-sport athlete at St. Joseph's Prep where he plays football, wrestles and excels in track and field.

Roy projects to play on the interior of the defensive line for the Buckeyes, which has been his natural position at the high school level.

According to 247Sports, Roy is exactly what coach Johnson wants inside on his defensive line.

"(Roy) displays power in lower body in exploding up and into offensive lineman at the snap. Has strength throughout his frame. Can anchor and take on blocks in the running game to allow linebackers to make tackles. Demonstrates stack and shed ability. Flexible throughout his frame, which translates from his wrestling ability in which he went 37-9 as a sophomore and finished third in the district."

Brian Dohn, National Recruiting Analyst for 247Sports

Roy is ranked No. 21 in the class of 2025. He joins a stout DL class including Zion Grady, Zahir Mathis, London Merritt, and Trajen Odom. The Buckeyes' overall 2025 class remains atop the national rankings.

Videotaped highlights of Roy's prowess on the gridiron speak for themselves.

Stay tuned to College Football Dawgs for further reporting on the Ohio State Buckeyes and college football recruiting.