Ohio State’s top linebacker target has finalized his commitment date.
Four-star Ohio standout Cincere Johnson has set his commitment for June 19 and will choose from a top three of OSU, Penn State and Alabama.
God has been along side with me this whole journey! Wheres Home https://t.co/zMbQGCm10h
— Cincere Johnson 4 (@JCincere8) May 27, 2025
Johnson visited PSU earlier this month, will visit the Crimson Tide this weekend and will be in Columbus on June 13, six days before his announcement. The top-75 prospect in the 2026 class has long been intrigued by the Buckeyes.
“They have high production,” Johnson told Eleven Warriors earlier this month of his main takeaway from OSU’s linebackers. “The things (Ohio State linebackers coach James Laurinaitis) was able to do with Sonny Styles, Cody Simon and Arvell Reese, it shows.
“(Laurinaitis) being able to come from that program, win the Butkus Award, being the all-time leading tackler for the Rams, it shows that he’s done things that other coaches haven’t. He can produce some of the best linebackers.”
If OSU can land Johnson, the Glenville pipeline will continue in Columbus, as he’d join Arvell Reese, Damarion Witten and Bryce West as recent Tarblooders to commit to the scarlet and gray.
Xavier Griffin announcing commitment June 29
Speaking of linebacker targets announcing their decisions, five-star Georgia standout Xavier Griffin will commit on June 29 from a final four of OSU, Texas, Alabama and Florida State. Griffin has visits lined up to each of those schools this summer, beginning with Ohio State this weekend.
BREAKING: Five-Star LB Xavier Griffin will announce his Commitment on June 29th, he tells me for @on3recruits
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 28, 2025
The No. 2 LB in the 26 Class will choose between Alabama, Florida State, Texas, & Ohio State
He recently decommitted from USC https://t.co/lpmmbnDvOy pic.twitter.com/JCm9KYCC5H
Griffin’s trip to Columbus on Friday will be his first since he attended the Buckeyes’ spring game in April.
“I absolutely loved my visit at Ohio State and can’t wait to get back up there,” Griffin told Eleven Warriors afterward. “All the coaches were just down to earth and cool to talk to. Coach Day, Coach Laurinaitis and (assistant athletic director of player personnel Sam) Petitto all had the same message, they love my game and my athleticism and wouldn’t change me on defense, just continue to develop me and get me to that elite status. The fan base was crazy for the spring game.”
Jett Washington making an official visit to OSU
Ohio State’s summer official visit schedule just got another visitor. Five-star 2026 safety Jett Washington confirmed Wednesday that he’ll visit Columbus this summer along with Oregon, Alabama and USC. He’ll be in Columbus on June 6.
The No. 4 safety in the 2026 cycle, Washington is the nephew of late NBA legend Kobe Bryant. He picked up his offer from OSU last fall.
NEWS: 5-Star Safety Jett Washington has locked in OVs to Ohio State & USC, he tells me for @on3recruits
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 28, 2025
He already has set trips to Alabama & Oregon
Updated schedule:
Alabama: this weekend
USC: June 3-5
Ohio State: June 6-8
Oregon: June 13-15https://t.co/k42A6LpJMb pic.twitter.com/OzTAf9CFQz
“I think it was huge because that was a school I had visited in the spring of my freshman year and have been interested in since,” Washington told Eleven Warriors last fall. “Now that they’ve expressed interest in me and offered me, it was huge for me. (Ohio State safeties coach Matt Guerrieri) said they’ve been watching me closely this year and they’ve liked what they see. They’re excited to build a relationship with me.”
OSU is likely running a bit behind the other schools with its recruitment of Washington thus far, but that could change depending on how the official visit goes this summer.
Richard Wesley decommits from Oregon, schedules OV to Columbus
Memo to college football coaches: Never attempt awkward dance moves with a recruit for a TikTok, and don’t jump into a pool with a recruit either. Those choices never end well.
Five-star defensive end Richard Wesley decommitted from Oregon earlier this week and set up several official visits, including to OSU, Texas, Texas A&M and yes, Oregon still.
NEWS: Five-Star Oregon EDGE commit Richard Wesley will take Official Visits to Texas, Ohio State, Texas A&M, & Oregon
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 26, 2025
His schedule is as follows:
Oregon: June 6
Texas: June 20
Ohio State: August 30
Texas A&M: TBD
He committed to Oregon May 10thhttps://t.co/Bpa7430zkW pic.twitter.com/y7kFZvcILe
He’ll be at Ohio State on Aug. 30 for the Buckeyes’ season opener against Texas, so we’ll see if Wesley is serious about the Buckeyes or if he’s just interested in getting a front row seat to the best game of Week 1.
