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Buckeye Nation may soon have a big reason to smile as Ohio State is predicted to flip key SEC commitment

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Brandon Little | Last updated Jun 23, 2025 9:50 PM ET

The Ohio State Buckeyes have 16 commitments so far in the class of 2026, and that number could soon grow.

Ohio State has had a big month of June, hosting numerous key visits and picking up three commitments in the process. Four-star linebacker Cincere Johnson was the latest to commit to the Buckeyes. Earlier in the month, Ohio State landed four-star defensive end Khary Wilder and four-star running back Favour Akih.

Now, the Buckeyes could be on the verge of flipping a commitment from another program.

On3 Predicts Ohio State will flip Florida commit DT Jamir Perez

It was a bit of a surprise when Jamir Perez committed to Florida back in May, but it appears that a change could be on the horizon. Two predictions have come in via On3 projecting Perez to flip his commitment to Ohio State.

Florida insiders @Blake_Alderman and @On3Keith have logged expert predictions for Ohio State to flip Gators DL commit Jamir Perez

Read: https://t.co/rBVosLYmL9 pic.twitter.com/t2jh82HZ8s
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) June 23, 2025

“Things have started to look less favorable for the Gators in June. When Perez left his official visit, he told Gators Online he didn’t plan to visit any other schools. That was a short-lived plan, as he’s visited Ohio State twice this month.” — Blake Alderman, Gators Online

Perez is a massive presence in the middle of the defensive line, standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 330 pounds. Defensive line coach Larry Johnson currently has just one commitment in the trenches with Khary Wilder, who pledged to the Buckeyes earlier this month. Adding Perez would provide Ohio State with a developmental piece in the middle of the defensive front.

There’s also a strong Glenville High School connection—Perez plays there in Cleveland, Ohio, a pipeline that has historically produced Buckeye talent. The talented defensive tackle is ranked as the No. 662 overall recruit and No. 71 defensive lineman nationally. He could eventually rise to a four-star ranking, and he’s a player whose future impact may go beyond what his current rating suggests.

Ohio State has been targeting him for some time and hopes to land the big guy for this haul. With Perez having visited Columbus twice this month, the Buckeyes appear to be in a strong position to add him to their 2026 class.

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

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