At this time of the season, it’s not just about scoreboard victories or postseason dreams. It’s about who’s watching from the sidelines, quietly shaping the future. Earlier this week, a prized 2026 defensive lineman from Alabama made headlines after backing off from Deion Sanders’ Colorado. Days later, he turned heads again, this time in Columbus’ direction. He wanted development, not ambiguity. And Ryan Day’s staff offered exactly that. 

Earlier this month, the 290lb 4-star DL Emanuel Ruffin told Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett, “I want to be developed… But the relationship with the coaches is a big thing for me. When I say that, I mean when you get on campus, it’s bigger than just ball. That’s what really needs to stand out for me to go to the school.” Turns out, Ryan Day and his staff checked the boxes. Fawcett broke the news on X on November 9, reporting, “Four-Star DL Emanuel Ruffin has Committed to Ohio State, he tells me for @rivals.” The 6-foot-4 star from Bessemer, Alabama, had officially decommitted from Colorado on November 4. In less than a week, he was a Buckeye.

Ohio State had been playing the long game for months. They hosted Emanuel Ruffin on an official visit back in June, kept the lines open when he committed to Colorado in September, and pounced the second the door cracked open. Missouri tried to hang around, but Columbus won out with culture, not chaos. And just like that, Ryan Day added another blue-chip gem to an already stacked 2026 class.

Emanuel Ruffin ranks as the No. 202 overall prospect and the No. 21 defensive lineman in the Rivals Industry Rankings. In Alabama, he’s No. 12 overall, an elite trench piece from one of the toughest recruiting regions in the country. His commitment comes just days after the Buckeyes flipped 4-star cornerback Jay Timmons, Rivals’ No. 2 CB, from Florida State. Ohio State’s defensive front is suddenly looking phenomenal, featuring Ruffin, Khary Wilder, Damari Simeon, Cameron Brickle, and Jamir Perez. That’s five defensive linemen, each with unique skillsets and body types, giving DL coach Larry Johnson plenty to work with. And on the other side of the trenches, the Buckeyes aren’t slowing down either.

Ryan Day stacks the trenches even deeper

Just two days before Emanuel Ruffin’s announcement, Mason Wilhelm, the son of former Buckeye LB and 2002 national champion Matt Wilhelm, flipped from North Carolina to Ohio State. The 6-foot-4, 285-pound interior lineman from St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio) isn’t a 5-star headline grabber, but OSU believes in his upside. Ranked as the No. 101 interior offensive lineman in the 2026 class, he brings legacy, toughness, and familiarity with what it takes to wear the Scarlet and Gray.

As the fifth offensive lineman and 23rd overall commit in the class, Mason Wilhelm’s pledge continues Ohio State’s push to dominate the trenches. And then, with Emanuel Ruffin joining as commit No. 24, the Buckeyes officially leapfrog Texas to claim the No. 7 spot in the Rivals Team Recruiting Rankings.

At No. 1, Ohio State continues to prove why it remains one of the most trusted programs in college football. With this major defensive addition and a growing 2026 class, Ryan Day’s steady hand and focus on development are keeping the Buckeyes a step ahead in the recruiting race.