Tater Flips Commitment to Ohio State

Austin swimmer Harrison Tater has switched his verbal commitment from Arizona State to Ohio State.

Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Swimming

Harrison Tater, an Austin swimmer, has flipped his verbal commitment from Arizona State to Ohio State, adding IM and freestyle depth to the Buckeyes. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Harrison Tater, a swimmer from Austin, Texas, has flipped his verbal commitment from Arizona State to Ohio State. The move adds a versatile IM and mid-distance freestyle swimmer to a Buckeyes program that finished third at the Big Ten Championships.

Why it matters

The commitment strengthens Ohio State's distance and IM depth as the program builds toward its next competitive cycle. For Ohio readers, it is a notable recruiting shift involving a school in the state.

Tater's best times include a 3:51.89 400 IM, 1:37.88 200 freestyle, 4:27.95 500 freestyle and 1:49.11 200 butterfly, while Ohio State's men placed 3rd of 9 at the Big Ten Championships with 1035.5 points. Whether Tater's times will rise to final-qualifying level in the 400 IM under Ohio State coaching remains unknown.

The players

Harrison Tater

A swimmer from Austin, Texas, who primarily competes in IM and mid-distance freestyle events.

Ohio State University

A Big Ten Conference university in Columbus, Ohio, whose men's swimming program placed third at the 2026 Big Ten Championships.

Arizona State University

A public university in Tempe, Arizona, which was the school of Tater's original verbal commitment before he changed it.

The details

Tater's verbal commitment changed from Arizona State to Ohio State. He primarily swims IM and mid-distance freestyle, and is about two and a half seconds off the 3:49.22 needed to reach the 400 IM final.

2026 Big Ten Championships: Ohio State men finished 3rd out of 9 teams.
2026 NCAA Championships: Ohio State men finished 13th.
November 1, 2026: Tater's commitment flip was reported.
Fall 2027: Tater is scheduled to begin at Ohio State.

Season Trajectory

Verbal commitments in college swimming remain non-binding until a National Letter of Intent is signed, so recruits can and do change schools before enrollment. Tater's flip reflects that flexibility as Ohio State builds its men's roster after a third-place Big Ten finish.

For swimming fans tracking the Big Ten, Tater's addition gives Ohio State another mid-distance and IM option to watch as the roster develops. Fantasy and recruiting followers can note that his 400 IM time is the clearest benchmark for judging near-term impact.

The takeaway

Verbal commitments are not final until a signed letter of intent, so recruiting outcomes can shift as athletes weigh their options. Readers following Ohio swimming can watch Tater's progress as his best times are tested against Big Ten competition.