Ohio State Buckeyes are ‘standing out’ to a major football recruit who just spurned Deion Sanders and Colorado
Ohio State is making waves on the recruiting trail.
The Ohio State Buckeyes are taking care of business on the football field with an 8-0 record as they head to Purdue on Saturday. The next month will be significant not only for the football schedule but also for recruiting.
Ohio State is looking to put the finishing touches on its 2026 recruiting class ahead of signing day. At this stage in the cycle, the Buckeyes are working on flipping several recruits who are or were committed elsewhere. Ohio State currently holds 22 commitments in its top-10 recruiting class, and that number could soon rise.
Ohio State trying to flip a former Colorado commitment
Four-star defensive lineman Emanuel Ruffin (class of 2026) decommitted from Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes on Nov. 4, less than two months after initially pledging to them on Sept. 23. According to Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett, Ohio State and Missouri are the two programs standing out to Ruffin.
Ohio State has been recruiting Ruffin for quite some time, and he took an official visit to Columbus on June 6. Programs such as Alabama, Georgia, and Florida have also offered the 6-foot-4, 295-pound defender from Alabama. According to the 247Sports Composite, Ruffin is ranked as the No. 26 defensive lineman and No. 197 overall prospect in the 2026 class.
The Buckeyes currently have three interior defensive linemen committed—Damari Simeon, Cameron Brickle, and Jamir Perez—all three-star recruits under position coach Larry Johnson. They also have one true edge rusher, Khary Wilder. There have been rumors that Ohio State could lose a commitment along the defensive line, and Ruffin would undoubtedly be a strong fit if that happens.
If the Buckeyes are able to land him, Ruffin would become their highest-rated defensive line commitment in the class. Missouri appears to be Ohio State’s biggest competition, but as always, getting Ruffin back on campus for another visit will be key. If that happens, the Buckeyes’ chances could improve even more.
Ohio State Buckeyes News
Ohio State’s win over Penn State impressed a major SEC commitment who the Buckeyes are trying to flip
The Buckeyes had a big recruiting weekend with Penn State in town.
