Ohio State football misses out on 4-star defensive end for the 2026 class
Ohio State football misses out on 4-star defensive end for the 2026 class
It was a mixed bag for Ohio State football recruiting on Thursday. The Buckeyes landed 4-star linebacker Cincere Johnson out of Cleveland Glenville, but then got some sour news with losing out on 4-star defensive end Luke Wafle to the USC Trojans.
It was a bit of an about-turn for Wafle. As early as Wednesday evening, it looked as though the Buckeyes were favored to land the priority edge rusher, but USC reportedly made a late push after an official visit and upped the ante with increased NIL money. If you believe the reports from Steve Wiltfong of On3 (subscription required), OSU then came to the table with more money, but the Trojans again came to the table with the money to land his services.
Out of Princeton, New Jersey, Wafle is ranked as the No. 6 edge rusher and 55th overall prospect in the 2026 class according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. He was one of Ohio State's priority targets to cap off the 2026 class, but the Buckeyes will now have to turn their attention elsewhere. After the news, USC holds onto its firm grip on the No. 1 ranked class in the country according to the 247Sports Team Composite Rankings, thanks in large part to a whopping 30 guys who have given their verbal pledge. The Buckeyes remain ranked as the No. 3 class in the 2026 cycle with their 16 total commitments to date.
This is just another example of how NIL has changed how difficult it is to predict big-time college football recruiting these days. All indications point to Wafle wanting to be a Buckeye, but the money seemed to change things.
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Wisconsin great Braelon Allen holds a notable NFL record entering 2025 season
Wisconsin great Braelon Allen holds a notable NFL record entering 2025 season The most rush yards in NFL history before these ages... What jumps out about this list? 🤔 — NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) June 19, 2025 Wisconsin fans grew used to hearing about Braelon Allen's age during his terrific three-year college career. The Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, native joined the program a year early after reclassifying from the class of 2022 to 2021. That move meant he joined the program as a 17-year-old true freshman, a fact that became universally known when the Badgers' season kicked off that fall. Allen burst onto the scene immediately during that true freshman campaign, taking 186 carries for 1,268 yards and 12 touchdowns. His emergence one month into the season directly correlated with the Badgers' seven-game win streak and in-season resurgence. Thanks to the ESPN and Fox broadcast teams, Allen's age became synonymous with the team's success. The talented running back went on to play in 35 games over three seasons with the Badgers. He took 597 total carries for 3,494 yards and 35 touchdowns. At only 20 years old, Allen entered the draft after his junior season, where the New York Jets selected him with the No. 134 overall pick. That leads to Allen's current NFL record. 20-year-old prospects rarely enter the professional ranks, given the three-year requirement between high school graduation and NFL draft declaration. A player would need to enter college at 17, which Allen did, then perform well enough to declare before their senior season. Allen, who didn't turn 21 until January 20, was the only 20-year-old in the NFL last season. Thus, it should be no surprise that he is currently the league's all-time leader in rushing yards before the age of 21. Allen carried the football 92 times for 334 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie with the Jets in 2024, primarily operating as the backup to starter Breece Hall. Allen and Hall should continue to form a 1-2 punch for the Jets in 2025. The former Badger's league record should hold for some time. Moving forward, it will be interesting to watch whether he can surpass any other legendary name on this list. For reference, Ezekiel Elliott totaled an NFL-best 1,631 yards as a 21-year-old rookie in 2016. Allen would need a 1,300-yard output in 2025 to reach that mark. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
USC football makes another huge recruiting splash, lands four-star edge rusher Luke Wafle
USC football makes another huge recruiting splash, lands four-star edge rusher Luke Wafle Stop me if you have heard this one before: USC football just landed another massive recruit. On Thursday morning, the Trojans picked up a commitment from four-star edge rusher Luke Wafle. Wafle is from Princeton, New Jersey. 247Sports Composite ranks him as the No. 55 overall player and the No. 6 edge rusher in the class of 2026. Here is 247Sports Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins's evaluation of Wafle: "Force-based defensive end that's a tackle collector on the edge," Ivins wrote. "Measured roughly 6-foot-5, 245 pounds spring before senior year and came in with some promising features. Racks up stops when ball carriers near his gaps as he has the strength and power to will his way to wins. Not always the quickest off the snap, but has the awareness to move laterally and beat cutoffs. Heavy hands and a diesel engine tend to produce most of his quarterback pressures as he defeats protection by trying to ram his way through it. Spent junior season working out of a three-point stance in a modified four-man front where he was frequently asked to play over offensive tackles. Likely to find most success in a similar alignment on Saturdays as he's built for box-based football with his toughness and football IQ. Might need some time to find his footing, but projects as a potential impact player for a College Football Playoff contender that can do the dirty work." Chad Bowden and Lincoln Riley are continuing to land elite talent on the recruiting trail. If the Trojans can hold their 2026 class together, it has the potential to be, on paper, at least, one of the best recruiting classes in USC football history.
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Nebraska football target cancels ACC visit
Nebraska football target cancels ACC visit Class of 2026 Nebraska football recruit Kamron Wilson has canceled his visit to Florida State. He is going to return to Syracuse this weekend, according to a report from 247Sports' Mike McAllister. Wilson has been on the Huskers' recruiting board for the past couple of months. Most recently, he visited Lincoln on June 6. That was an official visit. He took a visit to Syracuse on March 29 and committed the following day. Wilson is the No. 45 overall edge defender in the 2026 class, and the No. 62 overall player in his class from the state of Florida per the On3 Industry Rankings. The edge defender recorded 117 tackles and 17 sacks last season for Miami Southridge, according to statistics from This could be an interesting development for Nebraska as Syracuse tries to strengthen their commitment with Wilson. It appears that the Huskers will have to make a harder push. Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
