One of Ohio State’s defensive line targets in the 2026 class has set a commitment date.
Four-star IMG Academy standout Preston Carey will commit on June 30 and choose from a final group of schools, including OSU, Georgia, Auburn, Florida, Rutgers, Alabama and USC.
The 6-foot-5, 300-pound Carey has visited Columbus multiple times throughout his recruitment and has an official visit set up for May 30. He’ll also take official visits to all of his other finalists.
Extremely grateful and humbled to have these opportunities. Back to work! #Grindneverstops #KeepWorking @GeorgiaFootball @OhioStateFB @AuburnFootball @GatorsFB @RFootball @AlabamaFTBL @uscfb https://t.co/JlXi9rySWE
— . (@PrestonJCareyPJ) April 28, 2025
Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, Carey is considered the No. 278 prospect and No. 31 defensive lineman in the 2026 class.
Ohio State and Larry Johnson have been recruiting Carey for a long time, with the Buckeyes offering him in March of 2023.
“It felt amazing sitting down with coach Day and coach Johnson, two of the best, if not the best coaches in the country,” Carey said following his offer. “Being able to learn from them from such a short time was really an honor. Ohio State is one of the best places for defensive linemen in the country, if not the best.”
Oluwasemilore Olubobola offered by OSU
Tyler Bowen has offered a promising offensive lineman in the 2027 class. Four-star New Jersey prospect Oluwasemilore Olubobola picked up an offer from the Buckeyes on Monday, as Bowen continues to identify intriguing players up front to target in next year’s recruiting cycle.
All go to God!! Bless to have received an offer from Ohio State University!! @CoachRichHansen@KinslerLatish @CoachBearfield @SeanBarowski @CoachOFlaherty @SPPFootball @joeRteacher @tyler_calvaruso @Myles_Harts @BobbyDeren@RyanSnyderOn3 @TylerBowen pic.twitter.com/77lpVBrLYs
— oluwasemilore olubobola (@52_olubobola) April 28, 2025
Olubobola is considered the No. 105 prospect and No. 11 ranked tackle in the 2027 class. The 6-foot-6, 275-pound prospect is from New Jersey and is the seventh tackle to earn an offer from the Buckeyes in his class.
Sidney Rouleau gets an offer from the Buckeyes
Olubobola wasn't Bowen's only offer he gave out on Monday. Four-star New Jersey offensive tackle Sidney Rouleau picked up an offer from OSU, as Bowen continues to expand his board.
After an Amazing talk with @TylerBowen I am excited and blessed to have Earned an offer from The University of Ohio State #Gobuckeyes @ryandaytime @MikeWakins @CoachJohnReagan @TonyGrecoTG @RivalsFriedman @RivalsRichie @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/fPwFb5jtWg
— BigSid 4 OT/DE (@RouleauSidney) April 28, 2025
Rouleau is considered the No. 212 prospect and No. 22 offensive tackle in the 2027 class. The 6-foot-5, 300-pound lineman has earned 16 Division I offers, including Boston College, Duke, Florida, Miami, Michigan, Nebraska, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse, Tennessee, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
Jae Lamar puts the Buckeyes in his top six
A top Ohio State running back target has narrowed down his recruitment.
Four-star Georgia standout Jae Lamar released a top six of Ohio State, Auburn, Florida State, Clemson, Georgia and Miami on Sunday as he continues to narrow things down in search of his collegiate home.
NEWS: Four-Star RB Jae Lamar is down to 6 Schools, he tells me for @on3recruits
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) April 27, 2025
The 60 205 RB from Moultrie, GA is ranked as a Top 10 RB in the 26 Class (per On3 Industry)https://t.co/B9OtavCdTG pic.twitter.com/YRGC3n3W05
Lamar is expected to take an official visit to Columbus later this summer and also plans to visit Florida State, Miami, Clemson and Auburn. He’s previously set a commitment date for July 4, as Carlos Locklyn hopes to take two running backs in the 2026 cycle.
Cam Brooks commits to Cal
One defensive line target for Larry Johnson in the 2026 class is off the board. Four-star Georgia prospect Cam Brooks committed to Cal on Sunday in a somewhat unexpected move, leaving the Buckeyes to head back to the drawing board with still plenty of options on the table for defensive line this cycle.
Respect the decision. pic.twitter.com/ZEVm6l2zjU
— Camron Brooks (@CamronBrooks32) April 27, 2025
Brooks had been heavily connected to OSU early in his recruitment and the Buckeyes were hoping to set up an official visit with him for sometime this summer, but contact had been minimal between the two sides over the spring.
With Brooks headed to Cal, the Buckeyes will turn their attention elsewhere this summer.
Jaden Ball signs with Minnesota
Ohio State hosted three transfer portal prospects on Friday, including defensive tackle Troy Pikes, offensive tackle Orion Irving and offensive tackle Jaden Ball. One day later, Ball opted to sign with Minnesota instead, which had also been courting him since he left Purdue.
OSU added West Virginia offensive tackle transfer Justin Terry on Sunday and will likely hear an answer from Irving and Pikes this week.
