Ohio State four-star EDGE target set to announce commitment this week

An update on the Buckeyes’ 2026 defensive line recruiting.

Ohio State is less than two weeks into July and the month has already been a busy one. The Buckeyes bolstered their defensive line haul in the 2026 recruiting class during the holiday weekend, when they flipped three-star defensive lineman Jamir Perez from Florida.

The recent addition brings Ohio State’s 2026 defensive line haul to four-star edge Khary Wilder, and three-star defensive linemen Damari Simeon, Cameron Brickle and Perez. While there is certainly depth to be found in this group, it is not to the typical standards of Ohio State recruiting.

However, the Buckeyes are not yet finished adding to their class, which consists of 21 verbal commitments — good enough for the No. 6 class in the 247Sports Class Rankings. 2026 four-star edge KJ Ford (Duncanville, TX / Duncanville) is scheduled to announce his commitment this week on July 11.

Ford is down to Ohio State, Florida and home state school, Texas A&M. Of his three finalists, Ohio State seems to be the school on the outside looking in. The Aggies were the early favorites in his recruitment, but as of late, Florida has gained some momentum and are the current favorites.

The blue-chip prospect is the No. 15 edge in the 247Sports Composite Rankings and is the No. 116 overall recruit. He is also the No. 17 recruit out of the talent-rich state of Texas.

Ford has kept his recruitment close to the vest, so the Buckeyes are far from out of it. That being said, NIL will likely play a factor in Ford’s decision, which could be one of the reasons Ohio State has struggled at recruiting the defensive line in recent classes.

Regardless if Ford chooses Ohio State or not, the Buckeyes will still be looking to add talent along the defensive front. The team is still targeting multiple defensive line prospect, and has the strongest relationships with four-stars Deuce Geralds and Emanuel Ruffin. Both are far from guaranteed, but are still viable possibilities.

Geralds and Ruffin both took official visits with the Buckeyes, with Geralds visiting June 20 and Ruffin June 6. Ruffin’s recruitment has been a whirlwind as of late.

Ohio State and Alabama had both been favorites to land his commitment but he then announced a top two of Ohio State and LSU. He then through another curve ball into his recruitment by postponing his announcement date of July 4 and reopening his recruitment. Ohio State is likely still a contender, but again, far from a guarantee.

Ruffin is the No. 30 DL in the 247Sports Composite Rankings and is the No. 257 overall recruit. He is also the No. 13 recruit from Alabama.

As for Geralds, his recruitment has been kept much closer to the vest in comparison with Ruffin. Ole Miss, LSU, Oregon and Michigan are the Buckeyes’ biggest threats to land his commitment, but there is no one school to have separated themselves from the group.

Geralds is the No. 9 DL in the 247Sports Composite Rankings and is the No. 73 overall recruit. He is also the No. 8 recruit out of Georgia.