Fisher Excited About The New Environment At Ohio State

Jude Fisher RHP / OF / Pro 5 Baseball Academy, NC / 2025

MEDINA - On the day that Jude Fisher accepted an offer to Ohio State, uncertainty soon followed. The head coach left, leaving a vacancy at the top of the program.

“There were a lot of questions for me,” Fisher reflected about the doubts he had in becoming a Buckeye.

But the question marks soon left and the 10th-rated 2025 right-handed pitcher in Ohio knows where his college home will be.

“When Tyler Robinson came over we were in contact,” Fisher said in reference to the new assistant coach at OSU. “He called and asked what the previous offer was and said he would talk to (head) coach (Justin) Haire about it. I ended up with the same offer.”

The incoming senior at Strongsville High School admitted it was a difficult time.

“There was a sense of, am I committed or not,” Fisher explained. “Is it 50-50? I politely declined other coaches’ calls and I discussed it with my family and decided to stay committed. Once coach Haire reached out and confirmed everything, it was fine.”

Fisher, whose first college offer came from Charleston Southern, had interest from Liberty, Michigan State, Michigan, Missouri and Coastal Carolina in a recruiting process that began with PBR showcases freshman and sophomore years.

“Not a lot reached out at the time, but seeing others commit in my class that I thought I was better than pushed me more,” Fisher noted. “My numbers got better and I got invited to the Top Prospect Games which helped my recruitment. Then I went to some camps and showcases.”

Former Ohio State assistant, Andrew See, saw the 30th-ranked 2025 go 2-2 with a triple and home run while striking out all five batters he faced at an Ohio State camp and followed that up watching Fisher at the TPGs where his performance on the mound resulted in a call and offer from OSU.

“After talking it over with my family I committed,” Fisher said. “I thought it would be great to represent Ohio since I’m an Ohio born kid. Plus, I wasn’t sure I would get a better offer.”

Fortunately, the offer remained even after the coaching change.

“One of the biggest things for me was being able to stay home and represent Ohio,” Fisher related. “Almost every kid has that dream of being able to represent their state.”

The chance to be a two-way player for the Buckeyes only added to the excitement of putting on the scarlet-and-gray uniform.

“At the camp I hit and pitched well and was offered a two-way opportunity,” said the 6-3 195-pounder, an outfielder when not on the mound. “The same with the new staff, they said they would give me the same opportunity. They’re very big on athleticism and with my build and my body they see the possibility of being a two-way at Ohio State.”

It was only two years earlier that college baseball became the focus of Fisher.

“I used to be a two-sport guy, basketball and baseball, in my younger years and wasn’t sure which one I would pursue,” the 17-year-old noted. “But in my eighth grade/freshman year I started to focus on baseball and switched to playing just baseball after my sophomore year. I dedicated myself to the goal of playing at the next level.”

It is a sport that Fisher loves.

“I worked harder at it and became more natural at baseball,” Fisher said. “I’ve been a pitcher my whole life. Picking up the ball and stepping on the mound gives me an awesome feeling.”

That is also the same emotion Fisher had when becoming a Buckeye was official.

“Within that week there was a lot of pressure on me, but in the end it was very relieving,” Fisher said. “Once I committed, the next goal was getting playing time as a freshman.”

Fisher, who pointed to his family and the coaches with the Dirtbags as important parts of his baseball journey, is confident he can play a big role in the Ohio State program.

“I can see being a great teammate,” Fisher related. “I’d like to be a leader as soon as I get there. I want to show the staff and the other players how dedicated I am. I want to make them a second family.”

Marketing is being considered as a major by Fisher, a 3.6 student who has made strides in his game in helping get interest and eventually an offer from the university located 21/2 hours from home.

“Within the last year I’ve pushed myself training, hitting and pitching,” Fisher noted. “I wasn’t the greatest hitter but with a lot of training I’ve become a better player and person overall.”

There is excitement in looking ahead to what it will be like at the next level.

“The new environment,” Fisher said in what he’s ready for at Ohio State. “I love to travel. Previously the goal was to go out of state for college, but we’ll spend a lot of time away from home.

“Being part of a new family and program will be awesome,” Fisher concluded. “Especially with the new coach they just brought in.”