Ohio State Has Five of 32 Five-Stars in Rivals’ Final Rankings for 2026 Class, Tying Notre Dame for the Most of Any Schools

By Dan Hope on January 28, 2026 at 4:19 pm
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Ohio State is tied with Notre Dame for the most five-star prospects in the 2026 recruiting class, according to Rivals’ final rankings for the cycle.

Five of Ohio State’s 2026 signees are among the 32 prospects who earned five-star status from Rivals in the 2026 class. Cornerback Jay Timmons is the highest-ranked Ohio State signee, coming in as the No. 12 overall prospect and No. 1 cornerback in Rivals’ rankings.

Ohio State’s second-best 2026 signee per Rivals is a wide receiver – but it’s not Chris Henry Jr. While Henry is among Ohio State’s five-stars, ranking as the No. 31 overall prospect and No. 4 wide receiver in the class per Rivals, Jerquaden Guilford is ranked as the No. 17 overall prospect and No. 2 wide receiver in the class.

They’re joined in Ohio State’s class of five-stars by Khary Wilder, who Rivals ranked as the No. 22 overall prospect and No. 6 edge rusher in the class, and Cincere Johnson, who Rivals ranks as the No. 1 linebacker and No. 26 overall prospect in 2026.

Notre Dame is the only other school with five five-star prospects in the final Rivals300 of 2026. LSU and Michigan have the third-most five-stars in Rivals’ rankings with three each.

Nine other members of Ohio State’s 2026 class also made the final Rivals300 of 2026:

  • Blaine Bradford: No. 54 overall, No. 2 safety
  • Sam Greer: No. 62 overall, No. 9 offensive tackle
  • Jordan Thomas: No. 70 overall, No. 8 cornerback
  • Braxton Rembert: No. 111 overall, No. 6 linebacker
  • Damari Simeon: No. 115 overall, No. 12 defensive tackle
  • Legend Bey: No. 147 overall, No. 4 athlete
  • Nick Lautar: No. 290 overall, No. 15 tight end

As a whole, Ohio State’s 2026 recruiting class is ranked as the sixth-best in the cycle per Rivals’ industry team rankings, which incorporate rankings from 247Sports and ESPN in addition to Rivals’ own rankings. The Buckeyes are ranked behind USC, Notre Dame, Oregon, Georgia and Alabama for the best overall class.

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