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Major recruiting must-get for the Ohio State Buckeyes makes major announcement with Penn State and Alabama involved

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Brandon Little | Last updated May 28, 2025 9:16 AM ET

Ohio State lost a lot from last season’s national championship team, but the Buckeyes will still be a very talented group in 2025—capable of winning it all.

The Buckeyes return arguably the two best players in the country in wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs. Ryan Day’s staff has continued to recruit at an elite level, and Ohio State has consistently reloaded rather than rebuilt—something they hope to do once again in 2025.

Looking ahead, June will be a pivotal month for the Buckeyes on the recruiting trail. One major defensive target is nearing a decision.

Major Ohio State Linebacker Target Set to Announce in June

Cincere Johnson, a four-star linebacker from Glenville (OH), is set to announce his college decision on June 19. Johnson is choosing between Ohio State, Penn State, and Alabama. The Buckeyes have a strong pipeline from Glenville to Columbus and are currently favored to land the talented linebacker.

NEWS: Elite 2026 LB Cincere Johnson will announce his College Decision on June 19th, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’3 225 LB from Cleveland, OH is ranked as the No. 3 LB in the ‘26 Class (per On3)

Where Should He Go? ⬇️https://t.co/bc15wU0MqA pic.twitter.com/iMF6HEWr8w
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 27, 2025

Johnson is ranked as the No. 68 overall player in the country and the No. 4 linebacker, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. At 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, he could eventually transition into a pass rusher at the college level. For now, however, he’s being recruited strictly as a linebacker by James Laurinaitis and the Buckeyes. Johnson will take his official visit to Columbus on June 13.

Ohio State currently has just one linebacker committed in the 2026 class: three-star in-state LB CJ Sanna. The Buckeyes are expected to take at least three linebackers in this cycle, and Johnson is a key piece of that plan. Additionally, Ohio State is working hard to beat out Georgia for five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson.

The Buckeyes have 13 players committed so far in the class of 2026, and that number is expected to rise as the summer heats up.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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