Ohio State in Intense Battle With Alabama, Penn State for Coveted Star
The Ohio State Buckeyes held the edge over all the top programs in the country on their way to the 2024-25 national championship. To stay on top, they will have to win recruiting battles against those same top programs.
For four-star linebacker Cincere Johnson, the Buckeyes are competing with the Alabama Crimson Tide and Penn State Nittany Lions.
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On3's Hayes Fawcett reported Tuesday that Johnson has those three schools -- Ohio State, Alabama, and Penn State -- in his final three.
Standing at 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, Johnson attends high school firmly in Big Ten country in Cleveland, Ohio. On3 projected his NIL value to be $138,000.
Four-star linebacker Cincere Johnson© Lori Schmidt / Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
On3 rated Johnson the No. 3 linebacker and No. 40 overall prospect in the 2026 recruiting class.
According to the 247 composite rankings, Johnson is the No. 6 linebacker and No. 101 overall recruit for 2026.
The Buckeyes own the third-best recruiting class for 2026 according to the 247 Sports composite rankings. Only the USC Trojans and Notre Dame Fighting Irish have higher-rated classes through May 7.
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But Penn State isn't far behind, ranked fourth on the list. Alabama sits at No. 34 on the 247 Sports composite rankings with only five commits for 2026.
As impressive as Ohio State has done on the recruiting trail for next year, though, the Buckeyes have received a verbal commitment from only one linebacker. That came from three-star prospect CJ Sanna, who isn't one of the top 250 prospects in the 2026 class.
Besides Sanna, the Buckeyes have received verbal commitments from three other defenders. Meanwhile, Ohio State has landed eight offensive prospects in the 2026 class.
Related: Ohio State Gets Good News on Coveted Player
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