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Two College Football Powerhouses Stuck in Bidding War for No. 1 Player in New Jersey

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Brendan Howe | Last updated Jun 19, 2025 6:00 AM ET

Luke Wafle isn’t lacking attention. The USC Trojans and Ohio State Buckeyes are providing the four-star Class of 2026 edge rusher with more than enough.

Lincoln Riley and Ryan Day are vying for Wafle’s commitment, but the former has a leg up as of right now, On3’s Steve Wiltfong reported Wednesday.

“A spring visit to Ohio State and then a summer official visit checked a lot of boxes for Wafle from a development and culture standpoint,” Wiltfong wrote. “Whatever the NIL promise was, USC trumped it this past weekend. That along with potentially playing for Eric Henderson and Shaun Nua also made for an exciting opportunity.

“USC could be in control again for what has become a bidding war for one of America’s best.”

247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins compares Wafle, who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 245 pounds, to former Buckeyes star Jack Sawyer. Sawyer is now playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“Force-based defensive end that’s a tackle collector on the edge,” Ivins said of Wafle in a scouting report earlier this month. “Racks up stops when ball carriers near his gaps as he has the strength and power to will his way to wins. … Might need some time to find his footing, but projects as a potential impact player for a College Football Playoff contender that can do the dirty work.”

As a junior at the Hun School (N.J.), Waffle totaled 53 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, eight sacks and eight quarterback hits. Wafle’s father, David, played on Duke’s defensive line in the 1990s.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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