DE Khary Wilder (Official Thread)

[Jaxbuck]

 

[brodybuck21]

 

[SEREbuckeye]

Love these videos by the media team

 

[JCOSU86]

Glad to hear! Welcome!

Edit to add: the guy never wavered, no drama. Great get for the Bucks.

 

[JCOSU86]

11W Forums

305Buck 7 hours ago
ON3 on Khary Wilder:

just wanted to pop in and drop some quick thoughts on Khary Wilder because he is absolutely dominating this season. His movement skills are so freaky for the position. I am extremely curious what Ohio State will do with him since his body type and skillset is so versatile, but watching him play is such a treat. He has serious twitch, hand usage and bend for such a rare body type.

Wilder, an imposing defensive tackle prospect with some positional versatility has been one of the most productive defensive players in the country. At 6-foot-4, 260-plus pounds, Wilder has totaled over 80 tackles, 20 tackles-for-loss, 10 sacks and 25 hurries for Juniperro Serra (Calif.) high school so far this season. His movement skills for his size are special. He has the ability to knife between blockers from the interior and the bend to win the corner off the edge.

 

[brodybuck21]

 

[pnuts34]

 

[ScriptOhio]

5-star Ohio State freshman looks ready to eat QBs in new spring ball photo

Spring ball is here and Ohio State fans are fired up to see what this team can get done in the next few weeks. The excitement is quite high for the newcomers, o

scarletandgame.com

5-star Ohio State freshman looks ready to eat QBs in new spring ball photo.........​

How is this kid only a freshman?

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Ohio State freshman Khary Wilder already looks massive at spring ball

On the official spring roster, Wilder is listed at 6-4, 248 pounds. A stud defensive end/pass-rusher, Wilder saw his recruiting rankings explode, which eventually led to him landing his coveted fifth star from Rivals. That alone had the Ohio State faithful pretty dang jacked up.

Out of Junipero Serra High in California, Wilder had 28 offers to his name throughout his recruitment, taking official visits to Ohio State and UCLA. The draw of potentially staying close to home for his college ball was on his mind, but competing for national titles with the Buckeyes is tough to turn down.

Wilder also developed a close bond with defensive line coach Larry Johnson, with the veteran assistant helping to lead the way with OSU's recruiting efforts. Matt Patricia, who just landed a monster raise from Ryan Day and Ross Bjork, was also involved.

Wilder is an incredibly versatile athlete and the fact that he's getting a head start on his college career is great news for everyone. The freshman is going to push for immediate playing time and with him making noise early on for Ohio State, it's clear Day is going to put him in a spot to make a difference.

The defense for Ohio State is considered a major strength leading up to next season, but the losses of studs to the NFL is going to hurt. Luckily, Day and Co. reloaded via the portal and with some big-name freshmen too. Wilder is on that list and his potential has no limits moving forward.

 

[RB07OSU]

Holy guacamole that kid is already jacked. Some Coach Mic time and with getting here early, I expect he will find his way on the field next season.

 

[MGMT]

If he absorbs all the technical aspects LJS teaches him, he makes the effort and puts the time in the weight room it doesn’t seem absurd to think he could get meaningful run this season at least in obvious passing downs.

He looks like a weapon already. Didn’t realize how much of a dude he was.

 

[pnuts34]

 

[ScriptOhio]

Khary Wilder looks like the next defensive end Ohio State fans will obsess over

Ohio State’s newest edge rusher already flashes the explosiveness, motor, and physical tools that have defined the Buckeyes’ elite defensive end pipeline for years.

www.landgrantholyland.com

Khary Wilder looks like the next defensive end Ohio State fans will obsess over​

Ohio State’s newest edge rusher already flashes the explosiveness, motor, and physical tools that have defined the Buckeyes’ elite defensive end pipeline for years.

The “Rushmen” traits that make Wilder so intriguing​

That motor consistently shows up on tape. Wilder chases plays downfield, works through blocks aggressively, and rarely looks satisfied after simply engaging his assignment. The effort level feels very “Rushmen” stylistically, think a Caden Curry or Jack Sawyer, which is part of why so many evaluators inside and outside the program believe his long-term projection is extremely high.

And historically, this is exactly the type of player Ohio State tends to maximize. The Buckeyes do not necessarily need freshman defensive ends to become stars immediately. In fact, the program’s developmental structure at edge rusher is built around gradual growth. Ohio State rotates defensive linemen heavily, keeps players fresh, and allows younger pass rushers to carve out specialized roles before eventually taking over full-time jobs.

That pathway could fit Wilder perfectly. Entering 2026, Ohio State still has experienced edge players ahead of him, including Kenyatta Jackson Jr. Beau Atkinson, Qua Russaw, Zion Grady, and several other highly talented defensive ends competing for snaps. That depth is important because it allows Wilder to develop without being forced into unrealistic expectations too early.
But at the same time, opportunity always exists in this room because Ohio State consistently sends defensive linemen to the NFL early and often, and the Buckeyes rotate enough that even younger players can earn meaningful situational snaps if they prove trustworthy.

Particularly on obvious passing downs where explosiveness matters most. And Wilder’s current strengths already project naturally into that type of role. As a freshman, the clearest pathway for him is becoming a specialized third-down pass rusher capable of affecting games in smaller bursts while continuing to physically develop within Mickey Marotti’s strength program.