Elite EDGE Luke Wafle remains top target for Ohio State after successful spring visit

Ohio State is yet to wrangle in a commitment from a perennial defensive prospect in the 2026 cycle, but plenty are on the Buckeyes’ radar. That includes Middletown (N.J.) Hun School four-star EDGE Luke Wafle.

Checking in at 6-foot-5.5 and 245 pounds, Wafle looks like a prominent prospect capable of immediately contributing to whatever program lands his services at the next level. The Buckeyes got him over to Columbus for a spring visit last week and are working to land his pledge.

According to On3 VP of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong, feelings are mutual between OSU and the Garden State standout.

“If there was ever a player in this class that looked like he was already on Ohio State’s roster, it’s (Wafle),” Wiltfong said on the latest edition of ‘Wiltfong Whiparound’. “He really enjoyed being in Columbus, said it was a great experience, talked about how badly they want to win, said it was very inspiring. The people in the program just love football, it’s an environment he wants to be in.”

Elite EDGE prospects continue to flock to Columbus. The last three recruiting cycles have seen head coach Ryan Day and his staff sign four-star Joshua Mickens (No. 101 NATL. in 2023), four-star Eddrick Houston (No. 33 NATL. in 2024) and four-star Zion Grady (No. 104 NATL. in 2025).

Wafle has the potential to finish the 2026 cycle as a five-star. Currently the No. 59 recruit in the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies, Wafle ranks No. 19 nationally in the On300.

As a junior for Hun, a top-10 program in New Jersey, Wafle racked up 53 total tackles and eight sacks in nine games, per MaxPreps. His build reminds some of a pair of brothers that played in Columbus and have gone on to have successful NFL careers, according to Wiltfong.

“He is as first-off-the-bus in this class from a physical standpoint,” he said. “You’ve got people on the Lettermen Row message board comparing him to the Bosas in the way he looks physically, that’s high praise as a prospect.”

Ohio State working to ink another elite recruiting class

So far, Ohio State has five commits in its 2026 recruiting class, which currently checks in at No. 6 in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

Headlining the pledge list is Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei five-star wide receiver Chris Henry Jr., the No. 14 recruit in the cycle. Henry has been committed since July 28, 2023, and while Oregon continues to push for a flip, he remains locked in with Brian Hartline and Co. He’s also the No. 2 wideout in the nation.

Avon Lake (Ohio) four-star interior offensive lineman Max Riley is the latest to join the class and ranks as the No. 133 recruit and No. 8 IOL overall. Avon (Ohio) four-star athlete Jakob Weatherspoon is a top-200 recruit, while Pataskala (Ohio) Watkins Memorial four-star WR Jaeden Ricketts is a top-30 receiver in the On300.

Jacksonville Bolles School three-star tight end Corbyn Fordham rounds out the class as a top-400 recruit. He and Ricketts each committed back in November.

Wafle is a top name to watch as he continues to work through his recruiting process. The Buckeyes are squarely in the mix.

“Ohio State’s on the shortlist right now as they battle Penn State, Tennessee, North Carolina, Texas, some of the other prominent programs in the lan,” Wiltfong said.