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Major target of the Ohio State Buckeyes is deciding this week, two Big Ten rivals are in the mix as well

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Brandon Little | Last updated Jul 28, 2025 5:00 PM ET

The recruiting trail hasn’t been particularly kind to the Ohio State Buckeyes lately, as they’ve missed on several key targets they were hoping to land.

Still, Ohio State holds the No. 7-ranked recruiting class for 2026 in the country, according to 247Sports, with 21 players committed so far.

That number could grow as early as this coming weekend, with a major defensive line target set to announce his decision.

Ohio State competing with Michigan and Oregon for four-star DL Deuce Geralds

The Buckeyes are firmly in the mix for four-star defensive lineman Deuce Geralds out of Collins Hill (GA). Geralds is set to announce his college decision on August 2 at 3 p.m. ET at Collins Hill High School. Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson is battling Michigan, Oregon, Ole Miss, and LSU to land the talented lineman.

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Geralds, a 6-foot-2, 265-pound defensive tackle, is ranked as the No. 12 player at his position and No. 95 overall in the 247Sports Composite rankings.

Ohio State already has four defensive line commits in the 2026 class, with three of them — Damari Simeon, Cameron Brickle, and Jamie Perez — projected as interior linemen. All three are rated as three-star prospects, and Geralds would immediately be the program’s highest rated interior player on the defensive side for this class.

If the Buckeyes are able to land Geralds, he would be their highest-rated interior defensive line recruit in the 2026 class.

Geralds took his official visit to Ohio State on June 20, and his decision is coming quickly as he prepares to begin his senior season of high school football.

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

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