Ohio State’s 2026 recruiting class has gathered momentum, especially with recent commitments in the trenches—offensive and defensive line additions that could define the Buckeyes’ on-field identity for years. At the same time, Ohio State has largely avoided bidding wars, even as elite offensive tackle Felix Ojo reportedly signed a massive NIL deal with Texas Tech. In this piece, we break down the state of the trenches and explore why Ohio State’s approach—focusing on roster retention and transfer portal investment over flashy NIL offerings—could be a winning formula.
🛡️ Trenches Breakdown: Building for the Future
As of early July, Ohio State’s 2026 class includes 19 commits, ranking in the top five nationally and boasting an average rating over 92.6. But beyond the stars at skill positions, the Buckeyes have prioritized line play, adding critical beef and potential in both the OL and DL trenches.
Defensive Line (DL/DL)
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Jamir Perez, a 330-pound nose tackle from Glenville HS (Cleveland), flipped from Florida in early July . A classic space-eater, Perez provides a plug-and-play anchor in the middle, a need since current NL starters aren’t NFL locks.
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Damari Simeon (DL, New Jersey) and Cameron Brickle, a 6’2″, 305-lb DL , giving the Buckeyes depth and variety up front.
Ohio State still seeks more edge presence outside of commit Khary Wilder, leaving room for a power pass-rusher or hybrid defensive lineman.
Offensive Line (OL/IOL/OT)
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Four-star OL Aaron Thomas (OT, Arizona) committed recently, adding to the class’s versatility.
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Earlier commits include Sam Greer and Maxwell Riley, both four giving OSU three tackles in class—valuable in reshaping the future offensive front.
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On the radar, Darius Gray remains a top interior lineman target—a five-star whose official visit could seal another key piece. Landing Gray would solidify a strong, balanced line core.
Positional Summary
The Buckeyes have bulked up intelligently. With three OL and three DL commits, OSU is laying the foundation for physical dominance. Yet, interior offensive line (IOL) remains a hot target, and defensive end depth is still needed—especially after missing out on top EDGE prospects.
💰 The NIL Strategy: Bidding Wars? No Thanks
Felix Ojo, a five-star offensive tackle, opted for Texas Tech, reportedly securing a NIL deal worth $775K–$1.7M annually. That’s a game-changer: paying elite recruits directly to outbid traditional giants. Ohio State faced the choice of matching numbers or sticking to its principles.
They decided not to chase that money.
Instead, the Buckeyes focused on:
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Roster Retention & Portal Value: Ohio State invested heavily in elite transfers—built on immediate impact rather than speculative high school talent. That strategy paid off with a national championship in 2024.
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Avoiding Bidding Wars: OSU has built a brand that doesn’t need to buy headline recruits. They embrace humble yet smart NIL—offering real value while protecting institutional integrity.
Their recent pursuit of defensive end Luke Wafle at least dipped into NIL flexibility—but the Buckeyes backed away when costs edged higher. Ultimately, Wafle signed with USC. Meanwhile, recruits like Cincere Johnson (LB) committed without massive deals, demonstrating the power of culture and Ohio roots
🧭 Strategy Behind the Restraint
Ohio State isn’t poor—they simply choose their moments. Their NIL philosophy is predicated on:
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Brand Equity ≥ Cash: OSU offers national exposure, NFL pedigree, a winning tradition, and elite facilities. These offerings stand independent of deal size.
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Sustainable Focus: While splashy offers drain budgets, OSU channels resources into top-tier training, analytics, and the transfer portal—proven investments.
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Cultural Cohesion: Girlfriends, coaches, teammates buy loyalty and depth from priority, not payday. It creates a team-first culture that fuels success.
📋 What Lies Ahead
Tackle and Interior Line
The class still needs an IOL anchor—landing Darius Gray is high priority. Tackles appear secure with Greer, Riley, Thomas.
Defensive End Depth
Aside from Wilder, OSU needs edge presence. Targets like Carter Meadows, KJ Ford, Landon Barnes, or Jackson Ford are sti
Quarterback & Skill Positions
While not trenches, the class still lacks a 2026 QB (e.g. Luke Fahey). A boost to trenches makes pursuit of QB and RB even more relevant for overall roster balance
⚖️ Final Assessment
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Trenches Grade: A–
Plenty of talent inside and at the edges, but missing an IOL anchor and another pass-rusher holds the class back from A+. -
Strategy Grade: A
Ohio State’s NIL posture is classy, forward-focused, and effective—balancing culture and competitiveness rather than chasing headlines. Their transfer portal success underscores this. -
Risks: If Texas Tech-style deals keep escalating, OSU may face future recruiting pressure to adapt or risk losing recruits in competitive NIL markets.
🏁 Final Word
Ohio State’s 2026 class is shaping into one of strength and symmetry, led by formidable trench players like Aaron Thomas, Jamir Perez, and Damari Simeon. But securing an interior OL like Darius Gray and a dynamic edge rusher will unlock full potential. At the same time, OSU’s stance against bidding wars—choosing smart NIL deals over headline-grabbing payouts—reflects a mature, sustainable vision. And it works. The national title is living proof that you don’t have to buy every recruit to win championships. If the Buckeyes continue to integrate line dominance and cultural coherence, they’ll maintain recruiting power on and off the field.