Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Ohio State Buckeyes receive unfortunate news in their chase of an elite five-star defender from SEC country

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Brandon Little | Last updated Jul 9, 2025 3:32 PM ET

The last month has been huge for the Ohio State Buckeyes in building their 2026 recruiting class.

As of now, the Buckeyes have 21 players committed and hold the No. 6 recruiting class in the country, according to 247Sports.

Ohio State has added several key commitments in recent weeks, coinciding with the heart of the official visit season.

However, not all the news is positive for the Buckeyes, as they are no longer in the running for one of the nation’s top defensive prospects.

Ohio State Buckeyes left out of top four for five-star LB Tyler Atkinson

The Buckeyes had long been considered a contender for Grayson (GA) linebacker Tyler Atkinson, but that is no longer the case. Atkinson has released his final four schools, and Ohio State did not make the cut. Georgia, Clemson, Texas, and Oregon are now battling for the commitment of one of the top uncommitted players in the 2026 class.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hayes Fawcett (@hayesfawcett3)

According to the 247Sports Composite, Atkinson is ranked as the No. 1 linebacker and the No. 9 overall player in the class of 2026. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound standout is widely viewed as a Georgia lean, although Texas has made a significant push recently.

Atkinson was initially expected to visit Ohio State on June 20, but instead took a trip to Texas. That decision effectively signaled the Buckeyes’ fading chances in his recruitment.

Ohio State currently has four-star Cincere Johnson and three-star CJ Sanna committed at the linebacker position. Johnson is ranked as a top-10 player at his position, and there’s potential that four-star safety Simeon Caldwell could grow into a linebacker as well.

While missing out on a five-star talent like Atkinson is a setback, Ohio State’s linebacker room, led by position coach James Laurinaitis, is still shaping up to be a strong group for the 2026 class after a strong haul in 2025.

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

More must-reads: