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Ohio State Buckeyes land crucial target and hand Jim Knowles, Penn State a loss in the process

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Brandon Little | Last updated Jun 19, 2025 3:13 PM ET

The Ohio State Buckeyes have to be thrilled with how the month of June has gone on the recruiting front.

June was always expected to be a pivotal month, with a flurry of official visits taking place.

Ohio State entered Thursday with 15 commitments, but they’re now adding another to the haul. The Buckeyes have landed their top in-state linebacker target.

Four-star LB Cincere Johnson chooses Ohio State over Penn State and Alabama

The Buckeyes are keeping the Glenville pipeline strong by landing four-star linebacker Cincere Johnson from the Cleveland high school. Johnson is the latest standout to play under legendary coach Ted Ginn Sr. and then choose to suit up for Ohio State. Alabama was a threat in this recruitment but Ohio State was able to hold the Crimson Tide off. Penn State was the other program to watch.

BREAKING: Elite 2026 LB Cincere Johnson has Committed to Ohio State, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’3 225 LB from Cleveland, OH chose the Buckeyes over Alabama & Penn State

“The Best in Ohio Stay In Ohio, can’t wait to be apart of the brotherhood!”https://t.co/bc15wU0MqA pic.twitter.com/MKcaAzzZ4z
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 19, 2025

Johnson is ranked as the No. 4 linebacker in the country and the No. 70 overall player, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. The 6-foot-2, 240-pound defender gives the Buckeyes their second linebacker commitment for the 2026 class, joining three-star Olentangy (OH) LB CJ Sanna. The Buckeyes now have 7-of-16 commitments on the defensive side of the football.

Ohio State was always viewed as the frontrunner for Johnson, and linebackers coach James Laurinaitis made sure to close the deal on this one. The Buckeyes continue to recruit the linebacker position at a high level—especially when it comes to keeping top talent home.

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

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