When the conversation around the Ohio State Buckeyes turns to incoming talent, it typically revolves around five-star recruits or hyped transfers who’ve already made national headlines. But in 2025, all eyes are unexpectedly shifting toward someone who didn’t carry that same preseason buzz—a name that’s rapidly gaining traction within the program and making coaches, teammates, and analysts take notice. Freshman linebacker Elijah Dorsey, a relatively under-the-radar recruit out of Maryland, has emerged as the surprise newcomer to watch for the Buckeyes this season. And those who have seen him in action during spring practices are convinced that he’s about to be a major problem for opposing offenses.
At 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds, Dorsey possesses the physical tools to thrive in the Big Ten, but it’s his football IQ, burst off the snap, and relentless motor that have been drawing comparisons to past Ohio State greats. What makes his rise even more impressive is that he came in with little fanfare. Rated a high three-star recruit by most major outlets, Dorsey was not the headline name in Ohio State’s top-five national recruiting class. Yet here he is, turning heads and earning first-team reps as early as mid-spring. It’s the kind of meteoric rise that’s rare at a place like Ohio State, where the depth chart is usually a brick wall for first-year players. But Dorsey isn’t just climbing that wall—he’s breaking right through it.
Those inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center say Dorsey’s mentality is what sets him apart. He’s not the loudest voice in the locker room, but his presence is undeniable. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles recently praised Dorsey’s quick adaptation to the Buckeyes’ complex scheme, noting that the freshman “studies like a senior and hits like a veteran.” During one scrimmage in early April, Dorsey blew up a screen play by diagnosing the action before the quarterback had even released the ball, knifing through two blockers and making a tackle for loss that ignited cheers from his teammates and a proud grin from linebackers coach James Laurinaitis. That play, according to one insider, was “when it became real” that Dorsey wasn’t just another body—he was a weapon.
What’s most exciting for Buckeye fans is that Dorsey’s emergence is happening at a position group that could use a jolt. After a solid but unspectacular 2024 season from the linebacker unit, Ohio State is searching for that next alpha defender who can wreak havoc and bring an edge back to the defense. The coaching staff brought in two experienced transfers to help with depth, but it’s Dorsey, the freshman no one saw coming, who’s now in serious contention for a starting spot. Not just rotational snaps—starting snaps. That’s how impressive he’s been.
In many ways, Dorsey’s journey to Columbus mirrors the gritty style of play he brings to the field. Growing up in a blue-collar community just outside Baltimore, he learned the value of hard work early. His high school coach, Will Thomas, remembers Dorsey as the kid who would stay after practice to watch film on his phone under the bleachers. “He wanted to understand everything,” Thomas said. “Not just what he was supposed to do, but what everyone else was doing. That’s rare for a teenager. Most kids are satisfied being told what to do. Elijah wanted to know why.” That hunger for knowledge has translated seamlessly to Ohio State, where he’s become a favorite in the film room and a sponge for every teaching point.
Off the field, Dorsey has embraced the culture of Ohio State like he’s been there for years. He’s already developed a strong bond with upperclassmen, including fellow linebacker Cody Simon, who has taken Dorsey under his wing. “Elijah doesn’t act like a freshman,” Simon said. “He prepares like a vet, he listens, he asks the right questions. He’s going to be a big-time player for us. That’s not a guess—it’s a fact.” It’s that kind of endorsement from veteran leaders that speaks volumes about Dorsey’s impact.
Physically, he’s continuing to develop under the guidance of Ohio State’s elite strength and conditioning program. In just three months on campus, Dorsey has already added 10 pounds of lean muscle and shaved his 40-yard dash time down to a reported 4.55. Those are NFL Combine-type numbers, and Dorsey is only just beginning. There’s a sense that his ceiling is higher than anyone anticipated when he signed his letter of intent last December. Back then, he was viewed as a developmental piece—someone who might see the field in two or three years. Now? He might be starting Week 1.
The buzz around Dorsey hasn’t stayed confined within Columbus either. NFL scouts who visited spring practices have reportedly made inquiries about the freshman, simply wanting to get background information for down the line. It’s extremely rare for scouts to even mention a true freshman this early, but as one AFC personnel director put it, “You notice No. 34 immediately. He pops on every rep.” That same scout noted Dorsey’s ability to bend around blockers, adjust mid-play, and explode through contact—traits that typically develop later in a player’s college career.
What Dorsey brings to the table is versatility, and that may be his greatest asset. In high school, he lined up all over the field—edge rusher, middle linebacker, even some snaps at safety—and that diverse experience has made him a natural fit in Knowles’ aggressive, multiple-look defense. Whether he’s dropping into coverage, setting the edge against the run, or blitzing through the A-gap, Dorsey doesn’t just do his job—he thrives in chaos. That’s a dream scenario for a coordinator who loves disguising blitzes and throwing exotic looks at opposing quarterbacks.
As the summer approaches, the anticipation for Dorsey’s official debut is growing. While it’s still early, and the grind of fall camp will bring new challenges, the foundation is clearly set. Barring injury or a major regression, he’s going to be a key contributor in 2025—and likely beyond. The comparisons to past Buckeye greats like Darron Lee and Jerome Baker are beginning to surface, and while it’s far too soon to crown him the next big thing, there’s no denying the trajectory he’s on.
For a program like Ohio State, which thrives on star power and NFL pipeline prestige, it’s refreshing to see a relatively unheralded recruit rise to prominence through sheer will, intelligence, and work ethic. Dorsey’s story is a reminder that recruiting rankings can only go so far, and that heart, hunger, and hustle still matter. Sometimes, the most dangerous player on the field is the one no one expected.
By the time the Buckeyes take the field against Notre Dame in their season opener, there’s a real chance Elijah Dorsey will be trotting out with the starters, not as a temporary fill-in or depth piece, but as a core member of the defense. And if his spring performance is any indication, it won’t take long for fans across the nation to learn his name.
There are plenty of big names wearing scarlet and gray this fall. Five-star quarterbacks, headline receivers, veteran linemen. But when the season’s over, don’t be surprised if it’s Elijah Dorsey—a quiet kid from Maryland with a chip on his shoulder and fire in his belly—who leaves the biggest impression. Because sometimes, the best stories don’t begin with hype. They begin with hard work. And that’s exactly what makes Dorsey Ohio State’s most intriguing newcomer to watch in 2025.