Growing up in Columbus, CJ Sanna always dreamed of one day donning the scarlet and gray uniforms he admired for years.
As Sanna blossomed into a four-star linebacker following his junior season, there was only one place he wanted to call home. The opportunity he’s waited his entire life for came when James Laurinaitis made a routine recruiting visit to Olentangy High School in January. Laurinaitis officially offered Sanna and told him how high the Buckeyes were on him as a player.
“It was really surreal,” Sanna told Eleven Warriors. “When I got it, my heart dropped. Laurinaitis came into the school to talk to me and I thought it was just another recruiting visit. When he told me he wanted me to be a Buckeye, I was really excited.”
His recruitment didn’t last long after that. Sanna committed to OSU three months later, joining the 2026 class on April 4.
“I grew up an Ohio State fan, as you can imagine,” Sanna said, explaining why he wanted to commit to OSU. “They’re 15 minutes away from my backyard. I grew up watching them with the family and after getting to know coach Laurinaitis and coach Patricia, I had to jump on the opportunity. There’s no place I’d rather be. Playing at the highest level and being challenged by the best players in America, Ohio State has a high standard for everyone there. Having to compete to earn your spot really means a lot to me.”
Sanna is already giddy at the prospect of playing for Laurinaitis, someone he holds much respect for considering his NFL career.
“There’s no one I’d rather play for,” Sanna said.
Sanna has become equally close with new defensive coordinator Matt Patricia.
“He’s a player’s coach,” Sanna said of Patricia. “He’s a guy you can go to for anything and just talk. He loves football and he wants to help young men be the best players they can be. That’s a coach you want to play for.”
Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, Sanna is considered the No. 334 player and No. 25 linebacker in the 2026 class. His solid technique and coverage skills were on display at Sunday’s Under Armour Next camp at Pickerington North High School and he earned an Under Armour All-America Game invite following a strong showing at the camp.
“It meant a lot,” Sanna said of the invite. “Playing football at the highest level has always been my dream as a little kid. The chance to both be at Ohio State and now be an All-American, it’s just surreal.”
Sanna was at the camp with fellow in-state linebacker Cincere Johnson, the top remaining linebacker target for the Buckeyes in the 2026 class. Sanna has been given a soft mandate to do what he can to ensure the pair end up together in Columbus. The duo speaks to each other biweekly.
“Cincere Johnson, who also got his invite to the All-American game,” Sanna said of who his top priority is to peer recruit for OSU’s 2026 class. “Laurinaitis has told me to get on him, make sure he’s a Buckeye too.”
There will be more peer recruiting in Sanna’s future, as his scheduled official visit to OSU lines up with Johnson’s on June 13.
“I’m going when Cincere’s going to help recruit,” Sanna said with a smile.
Sanna is coming off a productive junior season at Olentangy in which he recorded 97 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks from his middle linebacker position. That’s likely where he’ll start at OSU, though Laurinaitis has told him to stay flexible and be ready to play any position necessary.
“I’m a Mike right now, but it’s to be determined,” Sanna said. “You don’t really know your position till you get there, work with the guys and get in that weight room with (strength coach Mickey Marotti).
Sanna hopes for a stellar senior year at Olentangy, then will head to Columbus to be an early enrollee. He said he’s excited to be able to get a jumpstart on his college career and participate in spring football next year.
“Just hope to get that step forward before everyone else,” Sanna said. “Coming in the summer, I feel like that would be a little hindering to not know the stuff coming in. Getting in, getting to learn and getting time in that weight room will help me be the best I can be.”
