The Ohio State Buckeyes could soon welcome the son of an NFL legend into their future recruiting class.
According to recent reports, Ohio State has arranged a visit with Cooper Witten, a highly-touted linebacker prospect and the son of former NFL star tight end Jason Witten.
Cooper Witten is currently ranked as the No. 1 linebacker in the 2027 recruiting class. He plays for Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas. Interestingly, Witten began his high school career playing safety but later transitioned to linebacker due to his size, athleticism, and versatility — traits that have helped him become one of the most sought-after defenders in his class.
🚨NEWS🚨 2027 No. 1 LB Cooper Witten has locked in multiple spring visits, @MikeTSinger reports✈️
Cooper is the son of 11-time Pro Bowler Jason Witten.
Read: https://t.co/x0Z65DrHGs pic.twitter.com/6S1D2kmpvC
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) March 6, 2025
Cooper’s father, Jason Witten, is widely regarded as one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history. Jason spent 17 seasons in the league between 2003 and 2020, taking a brief retirement in 2018 before returning for two final years. Sixteen of those seasons were spent with the Dallas Cowboys, and he concluded his career with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020.
During his career, Jason Witten earned 11 Pro Bowl selections and was named First-Team All-Pro twice. He also recorded four 1,000-yard seasons, further solidifying his legacy as one of the most productive and reliable tight ends the game has ever seen.
Although Cooper plays linebacker, rather than following his father’s path at tight end, his elite athletic pedigree is undeniable. Ohio State has long been known for producing top-tier linebackers, so it would not be surprising to see the Buckeyes emerge as a serious contender for his commitment.
Cooper Witten’s visit to Ohio State is set for March 21. The day before, on March 20, he is scheduled to visit the Michigan Wolverines. In addition to those two trips, Witten is planning to visit several other top programs between now and the middle of April.
Ohio State’s early involvement in Witten’s recruitment shows they are wasting no time in targeting elite talent for the class of 2027.