Larry Johnson is fortifying his 2026 recruiting class.
Damari Simeon emerged as the Buckeyes' top interior defensive line target in recent weeks, and Ohio State beat out Michigan, Penn State and Texas to land his commitment on Friday.
110% COMMITTED! GO BUCKS! pic.twitter.com/7bfOCVdipH
— Damari Simeon (@Damari_Simeon) June 27, 2025
The Simeon File
- Class: 2026
- Size: 6-3/275
- Pos: DT
- School: St. Augustine Prep (Richland, New Jersey)
- Composite Rating: ★★★★
- Composite Rank: #201 (#26 DL)
Simeon had no composite ranking when Larry Johnson offered him in February, but he blew up on the national scene over the last four months, emerging as a high-profile target for various blue bloods. He chose Ohio State from a list of more than three dozen offers that also included Auburn, Florida State, Miami, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas A&M, USC, Washington and Wisconsin, among others.
Per 247Sports' composite rankings, Simeon is considered the No. 201 overall prospect and the No. 26 defensive lineman in the 2026 cycle.
The 6-foot-3, 275-pound Simeon is the 18th overall commit for the Buckeyes' 2026 recruiting class and the second defensive lineman, joining defensive end Khary Wilder. Simeon becomes the second New Jersey resident in Ohio State’s 2026 class, joining cornerback Jordan Thomas, as they continue a trend of top prospects from The Garden State becoming Buckeyes.
| Pos | Name | Rating | Rank | Size | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WR | CHRIS HENRY JR. | ★★★★★ | #15 NATL | #3 WR | 6-5 | 205 | Mater Dei (Santa Ana, California) |
| S | BLAINE BRADFORD | ★★★★★ | #26 NATL | #3 S | 6-1 | 207 | Catholic (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) |
| LB | CINCERE JOHNSON | ★★★★ | #71 NATL | #8 Edge | 6-3 | 225 | Glenville (Cleveland, Ohio) |
| S | SIMEON CALDWELL | ★★★★ | #106 NATL | #6 LB | 6-3 | 185 | The Bolles School (Jacksonville, Florida) |
| WR | KAYDEN DIXON-WYATT | ★★★★ | #108 NATL | #13 WR | 6-2 | 180 | Mater Dei (Santa Ana, California) |
| OT | SAM GREER | ★★★★ | #109 NATL | #7 OT | 6-6 | 310 | Archbishop Hoban (Akron, Ohio) |
| OT | MAXWELL RILEY | ★★★★ | #127 NATL | #8 OT | 6-5 | 280 | Avon Lake (Avon Lake, Ohio) |
| RB | FAVOUR AKIH | ★★★★ | #167 NATL | #14 RB | 6-0 | 190 | Rutherford B Hayes (Delaware, Ohio) |
| CB | JAKOB WEATHERSPOON | ★★★★ | #173 NATL | #15 S | 5-10 | 172 | Avon (Avon, Ohio) |
| CB | JORDAN THOMAS | ★★★★ | #176 NATL | #16 CB | 6-1 | 185 | Bergen Catholic (Oradell, New Jersey) |
| DT | DAMARI SIMEON | ★★★★ | #201 NATL | #26 DL | 6-3 | 275 | St. Augustine Prep (Richland, New Jersey) |
| DE | KHARY WILDER | ★★★★ | #241 NATL | #23 Edge | 6-4 | 260 | Junipero Serra (Gardena, California) |
| WR | JAEDEN RICKETTS | ★★★★ | #269 NATL | #45 WR | 6-0 | 187 | Watkins Memorial (Pataskala, Ohio) |
| LB | CJ SANNA | ★★★★ | #296 NATL| #19 LB | 6-3| 225 | Olentangy (Lewis Center, Ohio) |
| WR | BROCK BOYD | ★★★★ | #380 NATL | #58 WR | 6-2 | 183 | Southlake Carroll (Southlake, Texas) |
| OT | AARON THOMAS | ★★★ | #439 NATL | #36 OT | 6-7 | 300 | Mountain Pointe (Phoenix, Arizona) |
| TE | CORBYN FORDHAM | ★★★ | #480 NATL | #25 TE | 6-3 | 215 | The Bolles School (Jacksonville, Florida) |
| OL | TUCKER SMITH | ★★★ | #662 NATL | #57 IOL | 6-5 | 280 | Sandra Day O'Connor (Phoenix, Arizona) |
| Prospect Rating Data: 247Sports Composite | |||||
Ohio State could add another defensive tackle on Saturday when three-star IMG Academy prospect Cameron Brickle is scheduled to announce his commitment. Jamir Perez, Deuce Geralds and Emanuel Ruffin also remain Ohio State targets at defensive tackle after making official visits to Columbus earlier this month.
Simeon brings athleticism, upside to interior defensive line
Simeon recorded 47 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble in his junior season at St. Augustine Preparatory School. While his sack numbers don’t jump off the page, his film shows a clear ability to disrupt plays in the backfield with his burst off the line and quick hands to shed blocks.
Simeon lines up both inside and outside for the Hermits, but projects to play 3-technique on Ohio State’s defensive line with the ability to also play 5-technique DE in three-man fronts.
Currently weighing in at 275 pounds, he’ll need to add about 15-20 pounds and add more moves to his block-shedding arsenal before he’ll be ready to play defensive tackle in the Big Ten. But there’s clear potential for Simeon to become a disruptive interior penetrator for the Buckeyes in due time, as evidenced by the long list of offers he received.
With Eddrick Houston likely to be Ohio State’s starting 3-technique in 2025 and 2026, Simeon will begin his career pushing for backup snaps but has the upside to be a future starter if he develops the way Johnson believes he can.
