Ohio State 2026 recruiting stock report: defense

While a lot of the chatter around Ohio State has been focused on their coaching staff search, the Buckeyes are still busy trying to build an elite 2026 recruiting class, even during a dead month of February.

The next few months will be key for the program, as they try to build on a class that currently holds four commitments and ranks eighth nationally at the moment. This cycle, Ohio State is supposed to take somewhere between 25-30 prospects, so they have some work cut out for them before December.

Today, Lettermen Row looks at Ohio State’s efforts on the defensive side of the ball for 2026 (see offensive version HERE), to share if stock is up, down, or unchanged with top targets.

Defensive line

Zion Elee: Elee committed to Maryland, but that pledge looked “soft” and Ohio State was set to get one of the six official visits the five-star was making. News broke this weekend that Elee won’t take any other officials besides Maryland, so right now the dream is over. Let’s see if that changes, though—I personally think it will. Stock Down

Aiden Harris: Ohio State has been a major player for Harris for quite some time. South Carolina, Auburn, UNC, NC State, USC, and Oregon are other top contenders. Officials will be huge but the Buckeyes are in a solid spot. Stock Unchanged

Andrew Harris: See above. I expect the Harris twins to go to school together. Stock Unchanged

Jake Kreul: Ohio State got a fall visit from Kreul but things have been a bit quiet since. A round of spring visits is in the cards, to schools more out west. A narrowed down list is expected soon and I think it’s 50/50 on whether the Buckeyes are on there. Stock Down

Cam Brooks: This is a name we haven’t really talked about much but probably should. Brooks just replaced his Miami official visit from June 20-22 with a stop in Columbus, which is a great sign for Ohio State’s chance. Stock Up

Zavion Griffin-Haynes: At one point ZGH was set to commit to Ohio State, but they were not quite ready to green light a pledge. A commitment to UNC happened but was opened up after the coaching change in Chapel Hill. OSU has continued to be in touch but it doesn’t seem like they’re making a big push. Stock Down

Derek Colman-Brusa: Washington, where his brother signed, will be tough to beat. Oregon is another top school. If anyone can get DCB to leave the Pacific Northwest, it’s Ohio State, though. The Buckeyes are definitely picking up some momentum in this recruitment and are getting an official on June 13. Stock Up

Jackson Ford: A new offer for the Buckeyes, Ford has expressed immediate interest in Ohio State. Expect a spring visit from the Pennnlsylvania-native and we’ll see where things go from there. Stock Up

Shaun Scott: Ohio State looked to be an early top contender for the Santa Ana (CA) Mater Dei star, but they need to get another visit if they want back in this, as he hasn’t been to Columbus since the opener against Akron and there hasn’t been a ton of buzz between the two sides. Stock Down

Keysaun Eleazer: Another North Carolina product, it seems like Ohio State is in the top four with Penn State, Virginia Tech, and Georgia Tech right now. How OSU’s board shapes up and how the visits go will be big here but things moving positively right now. Stock Up

Damari Simeon: Offered earlier this month, Simeon is quickly rising on boards across the country and is now a top 50 prospect per On3. Ohio State is getting a spring visit and if that goes well an official should be in the cards. Stock Up

Bryce Perry-Wright: Ohio State has been consistently in communication with the Georgia standout but right now I think they’re on the outside looking in. UGA and Auburn appear to be favorites and right now no official visit is scheduled to Columbus. A spring game visit could be in the cards, though, but I’m not getting my hopes up here for that to turn into much. Stock Down

Deuce Geralds: This is a guy who Ohio State is really high on and who I would make a prediction in favor of OSU for today if I had to. The Bucks just need to keep doing what they’re doing here. Stock Unchanged

Carter Luckie: His brother plays for Georgia and I still think that’s where he ends up but Ohio State will get an official visit and they have been rising here. Florida State is also in the mix. Stock Up

Preston Carey: Ohio State is in “the top group” right now but I don’t think they’re at the top. Carey is working towards a June 30 decision so spring and summer visits will be key. Right now the Buckeyes need those visits to happen if they want to win this one—the good thing is that the IMG Academy star says a trip to Columbus is in the works and that he has been talking frequently with the Bucks. Work to do here, but moving in the right direction. Stock Up

Linebacker

Tyler Atkinson: Ohio State has been in this since the beginning and are battling Georgia and Auburn to pull Atkinson out of the south. I’d go with the Dawgs if I had to pick today but OSU is battling here. Stock Unchanged

Cincere Johnson: Once Ohio State offered I made a pick in favor of the Buckeyes. While Alabama is trying to make a push, I still like OSU for the Glenville product. Stock Unchanged

Storm Miller: His brother plays for Clemson but James Laurinaitis has done an outstanding job in recruiting the in-state talent. I probably give the Buckeyes the edge today, as they’ve continued to rise from the jump, but spring and summer visits are going to happen before any decision. Stock Up

Jakobe Clapper: Ohio State was involved earlier for the St. Xavier star but this seems like one of those Cincinnati-to-Notre Dame type recruitments. Stock Down

CJ Sanna: The long awaited offer recently came and my pick went in immediately after. Hard to not see Ohio State keeping Sanna home, possibly as part of an all-Ohio linebacker class (with Johnson and Miller). Stock Up

Kenneth Goodwin: Goodwin most recently visited for The Game and is trying to get back for a spring visit after putting Ohio State in his recent top 12. It seems schools like Oregon and Georgia at a minimum are ahead of Ohio State here, though, and probably others. I get the sense that while the Bucks are still in the picture, this one is fading a bit. Stock Down (slightly)

Defensive back

Elbert Hill: I still like Ohio State in the long run for Hill, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t concerned about Oregon and maybe USC. Alabama is also trying to make a run here too and they have Hill’s attention. My pick remains on the Buckeyes but my confidence has gone down. OG Walt has some work cut out for him as does The Foundation. Stock Down (slightly)

Dorian Barney: When he decommitted from Alabama in the fall, it looked like maybe Ohio State would be well positioned. It now looked like Texas A&M is in a strong spot, but I think official visits (and NIL) will be important here. See where he ends up visiting. Stock Down

Jordan Thomas: I have liked Ohio State as a strong contender for the Bergen Catholic (NJ) star for a while and that has not changed. Visits will be key here so we’ll see how those guy. Stock Unchanged

Blaine Bradford: His brother signed with LSU last cycle and he’s from Baton Rouge. I have a hard time seeing him leave The Boot, but Ohio State has been rising here and is getting an official, along with Texas. He’s also making a multi-day spring visit to Columbus, which is big. Stock Up

Bralan Womack: Ohio State is winning the relationships area with Womack. The only thing they can’t control, which could hurt them, is proximity to home in Mississippi. That said, OSU has a great shot here and is rising, as they battle Florida, Texas A&M, and Auburn. Stock Up

Jett Washington: This recruitment has been a slow burn but Ohio State remains a top school for the nephew of the late great Kobe Bryant. The Buckeyes are battling Oregon, Alabama, Notre Dame, Texas, USC, Penn State, and Michigan for the Las Vegas (NV) Bishop Gorman star. Stock Unchanged

Jireh Edwards: Ohio State has been an on again, off again favorite/top school here. Right now things seem to be off again and “the field” is a very safe bet. Stock Down

Simeon Caldwell: The big three Florida schools, Notre Dame, Penn State, and Ohio State make up the top group for Tim Walton’s nephew. The Buckeyes have a great shot to land the On3 top 50 prospect. The Bucks are hoping for a spring visit followed by an official in the summer. They remain in solid position. Stock Unchanged

Joey O’Brien: Ohio State got a fall visit which went well and now they are set for an official visit. I think the Buckeyes are chasing a couple here, though, including Penn State and maybe Notre Dame. Some work to do but definitely trending better than six months ago. Stock Up

Kaden Gebhardt: Looks to be an Ohio State-Penn State battle. The good thing for the home town team is that Gebhardt seems to be focused on taking his officials before a decision comes. A decision sooner would have favored the Nittany Lions, but I think the Buckeyes win this the longer it drags out. My RPM remains on the Scarlet and Gray. Stock Unchanged

Donovan Webb: A name Ohio State fans should get to know. Webb told me in the late fall that the Buckeyes were his top school. I think they continue to build a great relationship here. Stock Up

Zaiden McDonald: Very similar position to Webb, a name too few are talking about. The New Jersey native is high on Ohio State and I could see him ending up in this class. A spring visit will be key. Stock Up

Tyriq Green: Ohio State is consistently mentioned by Green as a top school, but I just don’t see Georgia letting him get away. The Buckeyes are doing better than most give them credit for though. Stock Unchanged

Nassir McCoy: Ohio State in the mix, but everyone may be chasing Auburn right now. I know an official visit is being talked about, but I’m not sure I see that happening. Think OSU has been a “hat on the table” and that remains the same now. Stock Unchanged

CJ Sadler: A two-way star out of Detroit (MI) Cass Tech, Sadler says he will visit Ohio State this spring and that the Buckeyes have been in frequent contact. Oregon, Colorado, Auburn, and of course, Michigan, are the other major players in this one. I would definitely go “the field” if I’m picking today, but the Buckeyes are getting more buzz than they ever have for the WR/DB. Stock Up (slightly)