Thursday is poised to be a significant day for Ohio State recruiting, as two key prospects are set to announce their commitments. The excitement is particularly heightened for four-star linebacker Cincere Johnson, who will choose between Ohio State, Penn State, and Alabama at 12:30 p.m. Ohio State fans are eager to see if Johnson will continue the program’s strong tradition of linebacker play.
In addition to Johnson, priority defensive end target Luke Wafle is expected to make his decision at 2 p.m. Reports suggest that, while USC gained traction following his visit last weekend, Ohio State appears to be in a favorable position as of early Wednesday. Wafle’s commitment could potentially add him as the second defensive line prospect for the Buckeyes’ 2026 class, joining Khary Wilder. This could mark a double-signing day for Ohio State, solidifying their recruiting efforts with two top 75 players.
Further illustrating the recruiting landscape, Aaron Thomas, a 6-foot-7, 300-pound offensive tackle from Arizona, has announced that he will commit next week after a successful official visit on May 30. His visit left a positive impression, with Thomas expressing appreciation for the development plans discussed by coaches Tyler Bowen and Ryan Day. He will take his final official visit to Texas A&M this weekend before making his decision.
However, not all news is promising for Ohio State, as five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson is set to visit Texas this weekend, indicating the possibility of falling behind in his recruitment compared to Georgia and Texas. Meanwhile, in a notable development, four-star offensive tackle Ekene Ogboko has committed to Georgia, opting for the Bulldogs over Ohio State and other programs. Ogboko was once a target for the Buckeyes, who will need to refocus their recruiting efforts on other offensive line prospects like Thomas and Felix Ojo.
Ohio State’s recruiting landscape continues to evolve with these critical commitments and visits. The potential signing of both Johnson and Wafle could provide the Buckeyes with a strong start to their 2026 class. Fans remain hopeful that the Buckeyes will secure both players and continue to build a formidable roster for the future.