BREAKING: Four-star EDGE Epi Sitanilei flips from UCLA to Ohio State
COLUMBUS – Four-star Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco EDGE Epi Sitanilei has flipped his commitment from UCLA to Ohio State on National Signing Day. The Buckeyes needed more EDGE depth in the 2025 class and got it by flipping a four-star prospect from a Big Ten conference rival.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Sitanilei has been committed to the Bruins since June 30, 2024. Ohio State hosted him for an official visit over the weekend, however, and the Buckeyes were able to flip his commitment.
Sitanilei ranks as the No. 243 overall prospect, No. 28 EDGE and No. 21 prospect in California, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. On3 ranks Sitaneli as the No. 37 EDGE and No. 28 prospect in California in the 2025 class
Sitanileli had 59 total tackles, 37 solo tackles, six tackles for loss and one sack in 12 games as a senior at St. John Bosco.
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Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson and assistant defensive line coach LaAllan Clark have been evaluating Sitanilei since the summer. Sitanilei impressed the coaching staff with his camp performance in June but the Buckeyes already had three EDGE commitments in the 2025 class so they decided to not offer. After losing a pair of EDGE commitments in November, however, the Buckeyes made the decision to push to flip Sitanilei from UCLA.
Ohio State now has 27 commitments in the 2025 class following Sitanilei’s commitment. He joins dour-star Troy (Ala.) Enterprise EDGE Zion Grady in the Buckeyes highly-ranked recruiting class. Ohio State has the No. 3 recruiting class in the On3 Team Recruiting Rankings.
