Fort Wayne’s Jerquaden Guilford is headed to Columbus. The standout wide receiver from Northrop High School has made it official—he’s chosen Ohio State over a handful of heavyweight programs, betting on development, legacy, and a future he’s determined to build with grit.
It wasn’t just a football decision. For Guilford, this was about trust, family, and taking that “2-6-0” pride with him to one of the biggest stages in college sports.
Fort Wayne’s Underdog Star Finally Gets His Spotlight
He’s not your typical headline recruit.
Guilford isn’t racking up five-star clout or dominating social media with flash. But ask anyone in Allen County who’s watched him since sophomore year? They’ll tell you—this kid’s been a problem for defenses for a while now.
6’2”. Long arms. Sticky hands. Sneaky speed once he gets going.
He doesn’t talk much. But he shows up—every rep, every route.
“He’s always had that chip on his shoulder,” said Northrop’s offensive coordinator. “No one had to give it to him. It’s been there.”
Just one sentence here to let it breathe.
That hunger turned him into one of the most sought-after prospects in Indiana this cycle.
A Recruiting War Down to Two: Ole Miss vs. Ohio State
By mid-2024, offers were pouring in.
Indiana made their pitch. Purdue had interest early. Even Michigan came knocking. But by the time things got serious, two programs were still in heavy pursuit—Lane Kiffin’s high-flying Ole Miss offense and the Buckeye powerhouse led by Ryan Day.
Guilford took his time. But when it came to what mattered most—trust, fit, development—the choice became clear.
“Coach Hartline and Coach Day just wanting to develop me and be the best, that’s what it is,” Guilford said. “I’ve always come with a chip on my shoulder, so it’s just about being developed into the best receiver.”
Here’s how the final contenders stacked up:
| School | Positives | Concerns |
|---|---|---|
| Ole Miss | SEC spotlight, big-play offense, warm climate | Distance from home, coaching churn |
| Ohio State | WR pipeline, NFL staff, Midwest roots | Deep depth chart, big expectations |
Ohio State: Where Receivers Become Pros
Let’s be real—Ohio State doesn’t just recruit wideouts. They create monsters.
The past few years? Ridiculous. Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Marvin Harrison Jr.—they all came through the same system Guilford is walking into.
And now?
• Harrison Jr. went top five in 2024
• Emeka Egbuka could be next
• Brian Hartline? Called the best WR coach in college football, period
One short line, for rhythm.
Guilford isn’t naïve. He knows what he’s stepping into. He’s not scared of it—he wants it.
A Mom’s Hope: “Drafted in the Next Four or Five Years”
It’s easy to forget how many sacrifices go into these decisions.
Behind every recruit is a family that drove every mile, sat in every meeting, weighed every what-if.
For Jerquaden, that pillar has been his mom, Keshia Guilford.
“I’m looking for him to mature, to grow, to sharpen his skills,” she said. “I’m looking for Brian Hartline to develop him as a player, and I’m looking for him to be drafted in the next four or five years.”
No hesitation. No sugarcoating.
This isn’t just a dream—it’s a plan.
And it’s a plan that started in Fort Wayne.
“2-6-0 Mentality” Goes Big-Time
Not every recruit talks about home the way Guilford does.
He’s not just representing himself. He’s representing his area code.
“I’m taking that 2-6-0 mentality with me to Columbus,” he said. “It’s who I am.”
That pride? It shows up in the way he plays—chippy, hungry, stubbornly confident.
• Fort Wayne doesn’t produce Ohio State commits every year
• Guilford knows he’s carrying the city’s hopes with him
• He’s not shying from the weight
Just one sentence here.
In fact, he welcomes it.
A Class That’s Only Getting Scarier
Guilford joins one of the most intimidating recruiting classes in the country.
Ohio State’s 2025 haul is already ranked near the top nationally. And adding a receiver like Guilford—who’s still developing, still climbing—makes it even more dangerous.
Here’s what his commitment signals:
-
Midwest roots still matter to OSU’s recruiting machine
-
Hartline is trusted across state lines for WR development
-
Fort Wayne just became a serious pipeline target
It wasn’t just a win. It was a message.
What Now? Eyes on the 2026-2027 Season
Guilford will finish high school in Spring 2026 and report to Columbus soon after.
There’ll be no easing in.
He’ll compete from day one, surrounded by five-stars and future pros. He’ll learn the Buckeye way—fast, physical, precise.
And he knows it won’t be easy.
But that’s not stopping him.
One more sentence—simple but strong.
He’s already thinking like a Buckeye.
