Better Know A Buckeye is our look at every member of Ohio State’s 2026 recruiting class and how they became Buckeyes as they prepare to begin their OSU careers this fall.
From the same Georgia high school (Mill Creek) that produced Caleb Downs, Braxton Rembert is the tallest linebacker to sign with Ohio State since Cade Stover (also 6-foot-5) in 2019 (Stover started at linebacker before switching to tight end, and Sonny Styles – also listed at 6-5 – was listed as a safety out of high school).
He was also one of the fastest-rising players in the 2026 class, regardless of position.
Braxton Rembert
- Size: 6-5/195
- Position: LB
- School: Mill Creek (Hoschton, Georgia)
- 247 Sports Composite: ★★★★
- Composite Rank: #194 (#9 LB)
Background
When Rembert committed to Wake Forest in June 2025, he was ranked as the No. 1,556 overall player in the cycle. But that didn't matter to James Laurinaitis as Ohio State’s linebackers coach made him a priority target late in the recruiting process.
Rembert certainly took notice after receiving an OSU offer on Oct. 26, 2025. He took an official visit to Columbus on Nov. 15 for the primetime matchup against UCLA and committed to the Buckeyes that weekend, flipping his commitment from the Demon Deacons. He was one of seven commitments (six flips) that Ohio State received in November.
Rembert began his high school career playing as a two-way player at both safety and wide receiver. As he grew more into his 6-5 frame, Rembert switched to linebacker, where he blossomed as a senior. In his final high school season, Rembert accounted for 56 tackles (11 for loss), nine sacks, an interception, six pass breakups and three forced fumbles.
He also competed in track and field and basketball. He earned Region 8-AAAAAA Player of the Year honors in basketball as a junior; in track and field, Rembert posted a six-foot high jump and a 39-foot, 6.5-inch triple jump.
Scouting Report
Given his size in the middle of the defense, Rembert easily stood out for Mill Creek. His playmaking ability as a linebacker was a game-changer and will translate well to the college level once he bulks up a bit.
His combination of length, explosiveness, quickness and ability to get to the football wherever it might be on the field is lethal. He’s a big hitter who excels at using his instincts and speed to take down ballcarriers in the backfield, while he has the coverage ability to be a do-it-all linebacker.
Depth Chart Outlook
With Laurinaitis leading the room, Ohio State’s linebacker room is loaded and is poised to remain that way for years to come. That said, Rembert's size could allow him to stand out once as he adds a bit of muscle to his 6-5 frame.
He’ll need to bulk up before he’s ready to play a significant role at the collegiate level, but his potential is clearly something that Ohio State believes in. Rembert is expected to remain at linebacker for the Buckeyes, though his height and pass-rushing ability could allow him to play on the edge situationally. But he will have to compete with fellow 2025 signee Cincere Johnson and current sophomores Riley Pettijohn and TJ Alford, among others, to see playing time in 2027 and beyond.
Upperclassmen Payton Pierce and Christian Alliegro are expected to lead the linebacker unit along with Pettijohn, Alford, Garrett Stover and Johnson in 2026, so Rembert could be in line for a redshirt year to start his career unless he earns a consistent role on special teams.
Player Comparison: Sonny Styles
Better Know A Buckeye
Comparing Rembert to the No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft is a lofty, sky-high expectation, and Rembert's road to playing significant snaps for the Buckeyes will look much different than Styles, who saw immediate action as a freshman before becoming a starting safety as a sophomore and a starting linebacker as a junior.
That said, Rembert's height and length, paired with his ability to both drop in coverage and wreak havoc in the opponents' backfield, is similar to Styles. The latter totaled 244 tackles (22.5 for loss), nine sacks, one interception, three pass breakups, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries in his four years as a Buckeye.
After transitioning from safety to linebacker, Styles became a star in his final two years as a Buckeye, earning All-American honors as a senior. The 6-5, 244-pounder was then selected by the Washington Commanders with the No. 7 pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
If Rembert’s Ohio State career can come even close to resembling that of Styles, Laurinaitis will look very smart for taking a chance on the Georgia product when he was being overlooked by much of the country.
