Ohio State up to No. 7 in Rivals Team Recruiting Rankings after additions of Wilhelm, Ruffin

COLUMBUS – Ohio State’s 2026 recruiting class continues to climb in the rankings as National Signing Day approaches.

The Buckeyes picked up two commitments over the weekend. They flipped Three-star Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward offensive lineman Mason Wilhelm from North Carolina on Friday afternoon. Wilhelm is the son of former Ohio State All-American linebacker Matt Wilhelm. Then four-star Bessemer City (Ala.) defensive lineman Emanuel Ruffin announced his commitment on Sunday. Ruffin, a former Colorado commit, is someone the coaching staff has been fond of for some time.

With the additions of Wilhelm and Ruffin, Ohio State moved up one spot in the Rivals Team Recruiting Rankings to No. 7 overall. The Buckeyes passed Texas in the rankings.

Wilhelm is the fifth commitment for first-year offensive line coach Tyler Bowen this cycle and the fourth from Ohio. Bowen now has four-star Akron (Ohio) Archbishop Hoban offensive lineman Sam Greer, four-star Avon Lake (Ohio) interior offensive lineman Max Riley, three-star Phoenix (Ariz.) Sandra Day O’Conner offensive lineman Tucker Smith, three-star Mentor (Ohio) offensive lineman Landry Brede and Wilhelm committed.

Flipping over to the defensive line, the Buckeyes are tracking to sign big class with the addition of Ruffin. The headliner is four-star Gardena (Calif.) Junipero Serra defensive lineman Khary Wilder who Rivals has ranked as a five-star. Four-star Richland (N.J.) St. Augustine Prep defensive lineman Damari Simeon, three-star Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy defensive lineman Cameron Brickle, three-star Cleveland (Ohio) Glenville defensive lineman Jamir Perez and now Ruffin makeup the rest of the class.

At linebacker, James Laurinaitis has a pair of in-state standouts committed. Four-star Cleveland (Ohio) Glenville linebacker Cincere Johnson and four-star Lewis Center (Ohio) Olentangy linebacker CJ Sanna make up the class for Laurinatis.

Four-star Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic athlete Jordan Thomas and Four-star Pittsburgh (Pa.) Pine-Richland cornerback Jay Timmons is Ohio State’s cornerback duo this cycle. The Buckeyes also have three safeties committed: Four-star Baton Rouge (La.) Catholic safety Blaine Bradford, four-star Jacksonville (Fla.) The Bolles School safety Simeon Caldwell and three-star Baltimore (Md.) St. Frances Academy safety Khmari Bing

Ohio State has five wide receiver commits this cycle. Five-star Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. is the headliner for offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Brian Hartline. The Buckeyes also have four-star Inglewood (Calif) Mater Dei wide receiver Kayden Dixon-Wyatt, four-star Pataskala (Ohio) Watkins Memorial wide receiver Jaeden Ricketts, four-star Fort Wayne (Ind.) Northrop wide receiver Jerquaden Guilford and four-star Southlake Carroll (Texas) wide receiver Brock Boyd.

In the backfield, Four-star Mission Viejo (Calif.) standout Luke Fahey is committed at quarterback and four-star Delaware (Ohio) Hayes standout Favour Akih is the lone running back the Buckeyes currently have committed. Running backs coach Carlos Locklyn is working a few flips, however.

The only position that the Ohio State doesnt currently have a player committed at is tight end. Keenan Bailey is evaluating several in-state options as we approach National Signing Day.