Ohio Offensive Lineman Mason Wilhelm, the Son of Former Buckeye Linebacker Matt Wilhelm, Commits to Ohio State

Three-star 2026 offensive lineman Mason Wilhelm, the son of former Ohio State linebacker Matt Wilhelm, announced his commitment to the Buckeyes on Friday.

I have decided to decommit from North Carolina and stay home to be a Buckeye! Go Bucks! @ryandaytime pic.twitter.com/I2qZhK916o

— Mason Wilhelm 3 OL (@Mason_Wilhelm70) November 7, 2025

Wilhelm was previously committed to North Carolina.

He’s ranked as the No. 1,276 overall prospect in the 2026 recruiting class.

Wilhelm, who had visited Ohio State several times and grew up in Northeast Ohio dreaming of playing for the Buckeyes, told 247Sports he was offered by Ohio State on Thursday night. He committed to the Buckeyes just hours later.

“I have had being a Buckeye in the back of my head for a long time. I didn't want to waste time or drag it out,” Wilhelm told 247Sports.

Wilhelm’s father played for the Buckeyes from 1999-2002, earning consensus All-American honors as he helped lead Ohio State to the national championship for the 2002 season. Matt Wilhelm was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2024.

Super Proud Dad Moment. All I have said is put your head down and work. That's exactly what you did. You deserve all that comes your way because you have earned it. Best in Ohio Stay in Ohio! Go Bucks!

— Matt Wilhelm (@MattWilhelm35) November 7, 2025

Mason Wilhelm plays right guard and defensive tackle at St. Edward High School, where he’s helped lead the Eagles to an 8-2 record this season entering the second round of the Ohio state playoffs, in which St. Edward will face Berea-Midpark on Friday night.

St. Edward’s ongoing playoff run played into Wilhelm’s decision to quickly flip his commitment after receiving his Ohio State offer.

“I need to win a state title,” Wilhelm said. “We have games to still win and didn't want my process to be a distraction.”

Wilhelm becomes the fifth offensive lineman in Ohio State’s 2026 recruiting class, joining fellow Northeast Ohio prospects Sam Greer, Maxwell Riley and Landry Brede, as well as Arizona offensive lineman Tucker Smith.

Ohio State’s offer to Wilhelm came after Aaron Thomas decommitted from Ohio State on Monday and committed to Minnesota on Wednesday. It also comes as the Buckeyes battle West Virginia to flip Penn State offensive tackle Kevin Brown, the nation’s No. 6 offensive tackle and No. 61 overall prospect.

Weighing in at 6-foot-4 and 290 pounds, Wilhelm projects to play on the interior offensive line at Ohio State.

Wilhelm becomes the 23rd overall member of Ohio State’s 2026 class. He’s the second player to flip his commitment to Ohio State in as many days, joining four-star cornerback Jay Timmons, who was previously committed to Florida State.