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Ohio State Buckeyes get terrific news on key recruit, but face a tough battle due to a Big Ten rival

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Brandon Little | Last updated May 19, 2025 1:34 PM ET

The Ohio State Buckeyes currently hold the No. 3 ranked recruiting class for 2026, and the next few months will be crucial in maintaining that momentum.

Head coach Ryan Day and his staff have consistently produced top-five recruiting classes, and this year’s group appears to be no different.

As of now, the Buckeyes do not have an EDGE rusher committed, and Larry Johnson’s unit could use a couple in this cycle. Ohio State recently took a significant step in the recruitment of one of their top targets at the position.

Ohio State Buckeyes Make Final Five for Four-Star EDGE Luke Wafle

New Jersey EDGE Luke Wafle, a 6-foot-6, 250-pound pass rusher, has included Ohio State in his final five schools. The Buckeyes are joined by USC, Texas, Penn State, and Florida. May 30 will be a key weekend for Ohio State, as Wafle is set to make an official visit to Columbus alongside several other top recruits.

NEWS: Elite 2026 EDGE Luke Wafle is down to 5 Schools, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’6 250 EDGE from Middletown, NJ is ranked as the No. 14 Recruit (No. 4 EDGE) in the ‘26 On300

Where Should He Go?https://t.co/58MKhisA1d pic.twitter.com/UgIH5BCT92
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 16, 2025

Penn State is likely the school to beat in this recruitment, as Wafle’s older brother, Owen, is currently on the Nittany Lions’ roster. Penn State’s closer proximity to home is also a potential advantage. However, the Buckeyes remain firmly in the mix and have a real shot in this recruitment. Johnson is looking to secure his first pass rusher in the 2026 class following the departures of Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau. The addition of Beau Atkinson from North Carolina via the transfer portal was a positive step forward.

Ohio State is in the conversation for Wafle, which is exactly where they need to be at this stage. The upcoming official visits will be pivotal in determining where he lands in the end.

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

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