Gene Ross
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Ohio State offers 2026 four-star in-state linebacker, gets immediate Crystal Balls
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
2026 LB Cincere Johnson | Dan Harker, 247Sports
The Buckeyes are the new favorite for a top-100 national player from their own backyard.
Ohio State welcomed its last non-conference opponent to Columbus on Saturday, defeating Marshall 49-14 in front of the Buckeye faithful. The Thundering Herd weren’t the only visitors to campus this past weekend, however, as a handful of recruits also flocked to Ohio Stadium to watch Ryan Day’s group in action.
One of the biggest recruiting storylines of the weekend was the visit of Cincere Johnson. A 2026 linebacker out of Cleveland Glenville, the 6-foot-3 junior had still been waiting to receive an offer from the in-state power program. Now, that wait is over, as James Laurinaitis officially offered Johnson on Saturday.
Johnson, the No. 8 LB and No. 115 player nationally per the 247Sports Composite, is also the fourth-best player in Ohio in the cycle. The versatile defender has not been shy about his love for the Ohio State program, and has been to campus numerous teams leading up to this most recent trip. As a result, shortly after news of the offer came down, the Buckeyes quickly became the leader in his recruitment via the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.
On3’s Vice President of Recruiting, Steve Wiltfong, and Ohio State insider Alex Gleitman both cast their official predictions for Johnson to end up at Ohio State. On3 themselves has Johnson rated slightly higher than the other recruiting services, ranking him No. 87 nationally, the No. 9 linebacker and No. 3 player in Ohio.
Johnson wasn’t the only offeree for the Buckeyes this weekend, as a pair of talented brothers in the 2026 and 2027 classes also received Ohio State offers. Amari Sabb and Xavier Sabb were the pair of recipients, with Amari being listed as an athlete in the 2026 class and Xavier an athlete in the 2027 class.
The pair are the younger brothers of former Michigan and current Alabama defensive back Keon Sabb. Amari Sabb plays both ways for Glassboro as a receiver and a defensive back. He is the No. 30 ATH and No. 9 player in New Jersey in 2026 by the 247Sports Composite. Xavier Sabb makes most of his contributions as a receiver, but he is also a dynamic force in the return game on special teams. He is listed as the No. 1 ATH and No. 1 player in New Jersey in 2027 by 247Sports.
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Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
2026 LB Cincere Johnson | Dan Harker, 247Sports
The Buckeyes are the new favorite for a top-100 national player from their own backyard.
Ohio State welcomed its last non-conference opponent to Columbus on Saturday, defeating Marshall 49-14 in front of the Buckeye faithful. The Thundering Herd weren’t the only visitors to campus this past weekend, however, as a handful of recruits also flocked to Ohio Stadium to watch Ryan Day’s group in action.
One of the biggest recruiting storylines of the weekend was the visit of Cincere Johnson. A 2026 linebacker out of Cleveland Glenville, the 6-foot-3 junior had still been waiting to receive an offer from the in-state power program. Now, that wait is over, as James Laurinaitis officially offered Johnson on Saturday.
Blessed to receive an offer from THE Ohio Sate University! #GoBucks @TarblooderFB @OhioStateFB @MohrRecruiting @Coach_MikeRob @ChadSimmons_ @SWiltfong_ pic.twitter.com/x7jvr9htao
— Cincere Johnson 4️ (@JCincere8) September 21, 2024
Johnson, the No. 8 LB and No. 115 player nationally per the 247Sports Composite, is also the fourth-best player in Ohio in the cycle. The versatile defender has not been shy about his love for the Ohio State program, and has been to campus numerous teams leading up to this most recent trip. As a result, shortly after news of the offer came down, the Buckeyes quickly became the leader in his recruitment via the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.
On3’s Vice President of Recruiting, Steve Wiltfong, and Ohio State insider Alex Gleitman both cast their official predictions for Johnson to end up at Ohio State. On3 themselves has Johnson rated slightly higher than the other recruiting services, ranking him No. 87 nationally, the No. 9 linebacker and No. 3 player in Ohio.
Johnson wasn’t the only offeree for the Buckeyes this weekend, as a pair of talented brothers in the 2026 and 2027 classes also received Ohio State offers. Amari Sabb and Xavier Sabb were the pair of recipients, with Amari being listed as an athlete in the 2026 class and Xavier an athlete in the 2027 class.
The pair are the younger brothers of former Michigan and current Alabama defensive back Keon Sabb. Amari Sabb plays both ways for Glassboro as a receiver and a defensive back. He is the No. 30 ATH and No. 9 player in New Jersey in 2026 by the 247Sports Composite. Xavier Sabb makes most of his contributions as a receiver, but he is also a dynamic force in the return game on special teams. He is listed as the No. 1 ATH and No. 1 player in New Jersey in 2027 by 247Sports.
Quick Hits
- One of the other big visitors for Ohio State this weekend was 2027 wide receiver Dakota Geurrant. Returning to Columbus for the third time in just the last few months, Guerrant earned his OSU offer from both Brian Hartline and Tim Walton (he also plays DB) back at one of the Buckeyes’ recruiting camps in June. The Michigan legacy is the No. 5 WR and No. 29 player nationally in his class per the 247Sports Composite.
- Football Saturdays aren’t only for hosting football recruits. Ohio State basketball also used the home game to its advantage, hosting a pair of talented 2025 prospects in Niko Bundalo and Davion Hannah. Bundalo, a 6-foot-10 power forward, is the No. 7 PF and No. 26 player nationally per the 247Sports Composite, making the trek all the way from California. Hannah, a 6-foot-5 guard, is the No. 7 SG and No. 31 player nationally per the 247Sports Composite, hailing out of Missouri.
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