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Ohio State Buckeyes predicted to lose one of their most key recruiting targets to a team they couldn’t afford to

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Brandon Little | Last updated Jul 11, 2025 2:52 PM ET

The Ohio State Buckeyes currently hold the No. 6 recruiting class in the country with 21 commitments. Over the past month, numerous visits have taken place, and the Buckeyes have picked up several new additions.

However, it hasn’t been all sunshine and roses for Ohio State on the recruiting trail. While they’ve secured a couple of key commitments along the defensive line, there is still work to be done. The Buckeyes are now expected to miss out on another top target.

Four-star DL Deuce Geralds projected to pick Oregon over Ohio State and others

Ohio State is one of five programs in the mix for Collins Hill (GA) defensive lineman Deuce Geralds, along with Oregon, Ole Miss, Michigan, and LSU. Rivals has submitted two predictions indicating that Geralds will commit to the Ducks and head coach Dan Lanning’s program.

Rivals’ @samspiegs and @SWiltfong_ have logged expert predictions for Oregon to land 4-star DL Deuce Geralds

Read: https://t.co/nob6vi5izM pic.twitter.com/qDJ50vJ8am
— Rivals (@Rivals) July 11, 2025

Geralds, a 6-foot-2, 265-pound defensive lineman, is ranked as the No. 9 DL and No. 73 overall prospect nationally by the 247Sports Composite. Larry Johnson and the Buckeyes hosted him for an official visit on June 20.

Earlier in June, the Buckeyes landed four-star EDGE Khary Wilder, who remains their only true pass-rushing commitment in the 2026 class. They also added three-star defensive linemen Damari Simeon and Cameron Brickle in June, along with three-star in-state DL Jamie Perez, who flipped from Florida.

Losing Geralds isn’t a devastating blow for Ohio State, but he was a player the staff wanted and actively pursued. The Buckeyes will still need to add at least one more defensive lineman in this class.

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

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