Ohio State lands four-star DT, former Colorado commit Emanuel Ruffin

COLUMBUS – Ohio State has added another top defensive lineman to its 2026 class.

The Buckeyes landed four-star Bessemer City (Ala.) defensive lineman Emanuel Ruffin. Ruffin committed to the Colorado at the end of September but he back off his commitment to the Buffaloes on Tuesday.

Ruffin is the No. 202 overall prospect and No. 21 defensive lineman in the 2026 class, according to the Rivals Industry Rankings. The 6-foot-3.5, 290-pound Ruffin is the No. 214 overall prospect and No. 17 defensive lineman in the 2026 Rivals 300.

Ohio State now has five defensive linemen committed this cycle. The headliner is four-star Gardena (Calif.) Junipero Serra defensive lineman Khary Wilder who Rivals has ranked as a five-star. Ruffin joins four-star Richland (N.J.) St. Augustine Prep defensive lineman Damari Simeon, three-star Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy defensive lineman Cameron Brickle and three-star Cleveland (Ohio) Glenville defensive lineman Jamir Perez in the Buckeyes interior defensive line class.

Veteran defensive line coach Larry Johnson has done stockpile big-bodied defensive linemen this cycle. Emanuel Ruffin is the most recent example of that.

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