Latest news with #LukeWafle
New York Times
02-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Is good Ohio State recruiting news coming soon? Where Buckeyes stand after D-line misses
Ohio State may have a top-five recruiting class as the calendar turns to July, but there isn't a celebratory feeling around Columbus right now. Sunday brought bad news when top-100 defensive end Carter Meadows chose Michigan over the Buckeyes. Losing a high-priority prospect to rival Michigan is never easy, and Meadows being a defensive end made it even more difficult. The rough run got worse on Monday when four-star defensive end Landon Barnes chose Ole Miss over Ohio State and Washington. Both of those misses come just a week and a half after four-star end Luke Wafle chose USC over the Buckeyes. Advertisement Should fans be panicking, or is this just a brief lull? Now that June official visits have wrapped up, commitment season is in full swing and preseason camp is nearing, there are plenty of recruiting storylines to watch for the Buckeyes, who have 19 commitments in a 2026 class that ranks No. 5 in the 247Sports Composite behind USC, Georgia, Notre Dame and Texas A&M. What's next? Let's reset some of Ohio State's recruiting storylines. Ohio State is notably without a quarterback in the 2026 class after signing five-stars Julian Sayin (who quickly transferred from Alabama) and Tavien St. Clair in the past two classes. That could change in the coming days. Four-star Mission Viejo, Calif., quarterback Luke Fahey will make his decision on Thursday. Ranked No. 356 (24th among QBs) in the 247Sports Composite, Fahey got an offer from Ohio State on June 22 just after visiting Columbus. He also visited Stanford and Indiana and is the third-highest-ranked uncommitted quarterback in the class. If he chooses Ohio State, he'll be the lone quarterback in the 2026 class and fill a notable void. A pair of five-star Ohio State targets are nearing decisions this summer. The first is Mansfield, Texas, offensive tackle Felix Ojo, who is expected to announce his decision on Friday, choosing between Texas, Michigan, Florida and Ohio State. New offensive line coach Tyler Bowen has done a nice job filling out the offensive line class, adding four prospects thus far and looking for more. Ojo could end up with the home-state Longhorns, but these recruitments are hard to call until they are finalized, especially in the NIL era. Missing on Ojo wouldn't be a massive hit for the Buckeyes, who already have two top-130 offensive tackles. They are big fans of Sam Greer and Maxwell Riley. Greer made a strong impression at the Rivals Five-Star Camp a week ago. This is an important class for Ohio State along the offensive line, and Bowen has done a solid job, though landing Ojo would push the haul over the top. Advertisement The other five-star with a known decision date is Flowood, Miss., safety Bralan Womack. He's set to announce on Aug. 22 and could be a game-changer for safeties coach Matt Guerrieri. The Buckeyes already have one five-star safety on board with Blaine Bradford, but they want to pair him with Womack in this class and continue their momentum at the position. Womack visited Ohio State on June 20 with Bradford. The Buckeyes appear to be in a good position battling with Auburn, Texas A&M and Florida. A win here would help Ohio State's final ranking and depth and give the Buckeyes plenty of long-term options at safety after Caleb Downs leaves for the NFL. The Buckeyes are also awaiting decisions, dates unknown, from a pair of five-star running backs and an offensive lineman who visited in June: Ohio State's defensive line class is in a difficult position entering July. On one hand, defensive line coach Larry Johnson has done a nice job rebuilding the defensive tackle position, which is one of the team's biggest question marks entering this season and beyond. Already having Damari Simeon and Cameron Brickle is a solid start, and if the Buckeyes can flip three-star Jamir Perez (who plays at Cleveland's Glenville High School) from Florida, it'll be a very good group of interior defensive linemen, even without a highly ranked player. Still, no matter what happens at tackle, the misses at defensive end will be hard to shake. Edge commit Khary Wilder, ranked No. 241, does appear to be the real deal. The four-star prospect from Gardena, Calif., was the MVP of the Rivals Five-Star Camp. The question is who Ohio State pairs with him in this class. With Wafle, Meadows and Barnes off the board, options are getting slim and may be down to one: KJ Ford, who's ranked No. 116. Advertisement Ford, a four-star end from Duncanville, Texas, visited on June 20, just after Wafle committed to USC. Ohio State appears to be pursuing him aggressively. Ford doesn't have a commitment date set publicly, but he has also visited Texas A&M, Florida and Alabama. Simply put, Ohio State has to land Ford, because if it doesn't, the options become limited. Johnson is one of the best defensive line coaches in the country, and his development of JT Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer, Ty Hamilton and Tyleik Williams played a big role in Ohio State's national championship run. His on-field resume can't be debated, so he deserves a little bit of leeway here. But at some point, Ohio State has to close on these edge targets.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Two College Football Powerhouses Stuck in Bidding War for No. 1 Player in New Jersey
Two College Football Powerhouses Stuck in Bidding War for No. 1 Player in New Jersey originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Luke Wafle isn't lacking attention. The USC Trojans and Ohio State Buckeyes are providing the four-star Class of 2026 edge rusher with more than enough. Advertisement Lincoln Riley and Ryan Day are vying for Wafle's commitment, but the former has a leg up as of right now, On3's Steve Wiltfong reported Wednesday. 'A spring visit to Ohio State and then a summer official visit checked a lot of boxes for Wafle from a development and culture standpoint,' Wiltfong wrote. 'Whatever the NIL promise was, USC trumped it this past weekend. That along with potentially playing for Eric Henderson and Shaun Nua also made for an exciting opportunity. 'USC could be in control again for what has become a bidding war for one of America's best.' 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins compares Wafle, who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 245 pounds, to former Buckeyes star Jack Sawyer. Sawyer is now playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches pregame Nicholson-Imagn Images 'Force-based defensive end that's a tackle collector on the edge,' Ivins said of Wafle in a scouting report earlier this month. 'Racks up stops when ball carriers near his gaps as he has the strength and power to will his way to wins. … Might need some time to find his footing, but projects as a potential impact player for a College Football Playoff contender that can do the dirty work.' Advertisement As a junior at the Hun School (N.J.), Waffle totaled 53 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, eight sacks and eight quarterback hits. Wafle's father, David, played on Duke's defensive line in the 1990s. Related: 'Haven't Been Relevant Since Matt Leinart': Former Oregon Star Rips USC This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Analyst Explains Why USC Football Has Figured Itself Out After Disappointing Year
Analyst Explains Why USC Football Has Figured Itself Out After Disappointing Year originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans weren't much of a threat during their first season in the Big Ten. They went 4-5 in conference play and didn't finish the season ranked in the Associated Press poll. Advertisement After adding Luke Wafle's commitment to an already stacked recruiting class a few weeks ago, the arrow is pointing up for the program. On3's Ari Wasserman and Andy Staples recently explained why. "That video right there, funny enough, is the manifestation of what I thought was gonna happen from the beginning at USC," Wasserman said on "Andy & Ari On3." "Getting really good players on the West Coast, figuring out the national spots to hit and then doing it. USC has certainly given you something to cling to." Wafle, rated a four-star edge rusher by On3, joined five-star tight end Mark Bowman and a gaggle of four-stars in the Trojans' 2026 crop. The infusion of talent is just what the doctor ordered for USC's future. USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley talks on his Cashore-Imagn Images "At the end of the season, Andy, and I know USC fans were really upset with me, but I was looking around and we weren't sure who the quarterback was gonna be — Miller Moss left — the defense improved but still wasn't great," Wasserman said. "They weren't killing it 100% the way they needed to in their region in recruiting. I didn't know what USC's football identity was. ... I didn't know what you grab on to to be like, 'This is gonna get better.' Advertisement "But now you have something here that's building that you can grab on to, which USC is recruiting its (tail) off." Related: 'Haven't Been Relevant Since Matt Leinart': Former Oregon Star Rips USC This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
USC Called Hypocrites After Latest $2.6 Million Recruiting Win
USC Called Hypocrites After Latest $2.6 Million Recruiting Win originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Luke Wafle's commitment to the USC Trojans further proved that Lincoln Riley and his staff are willing to do what it takes to get back in the conversation of college football's elites. Advertisement On3's Pete Nakos and Steve Wiltfong reported Wafle will receive an NIL package between $2.2 and $2.6 million over two years. "I see people in the chat saying, 'They're paying above market,'" Andy Staples recently said on "Andy & Ari On3." "If it's an edge rusher everyone wants, that's not really above market. That's kind of right on it." NIL is undoubtedly a factor in the recruitment and retention of almost every high-caliber player in today's game. Ari Wasserman pointed out how any celebration of adding Wafle is hypocritical, given that USC's supporters criticize the Oregon Ducks for wooing prospects in the same manner. USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley.© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images "You know what, USC? The thing that I think is really funny is you are kinda getting the taste of your own medicine here," Wasserman said. "Because USC fans are the first to criticize Oregon for paying players when they get good ones. And how much more fun is it to be the ones being criticized? Advertisement "Like, actually, when you think about it, it's so much better being the ones on the hot seat (saying), 'Oh, we paid too much? Sorry!'" According to 247Sports, USC has the top-ranked Class of 2026 recruiting class. The Trojans have one five-star and 19 four-stars in that group and are listed right ahead of Georgia, Notre Dame and Texas A&M. Related: How Lincoln Riley Can go From Hot Seat to Dominant Again This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
USC football makes another huge recruiting splash, lands four-star edge rusher Luke Wafle
Stop me if you have heard this one before: USC football just landed another massive recruit. On Thursday morning, the Trojans picked up a commitment from four-star edge rusher Luke Wafle. Wafle is from Princeton, New Jersey. 247Sports Composite ranks him as the No. 55 overall player and the No. 6 edge rusher in the class of 2026. Advertisement Here is 247Sports Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins's evaluation of Wafle: "Force-based defensive end that's a tackle collector on the edge," Ivins wrote. "Measured roughly 6-foot-5, 245 pounds spring before senior year and came in with some promising features. Racks up stops when ball carriers near his gaps as he has the strength and power to will his way to wins. Not always the quickest off the snap, but has the awareness to move laterally and beat cutoffs. Heavy hands and a diesel engine tend to produce most of his quarterback pressures as he defeats protection by trying to ram his way through it. Spent junior season working out of a three-point stance in a modified four-man front where he was frequently asked to play over offensive tackles. Likely to find most success in a similar alignment on Saturdays as he's built for box-based football with his toughness and football IQ. Might need some time to find his footing, but projects as a potential impact player for a College Football Playoff contender that can do the dirty work." Chad Bowden and Lincoln Riley are continuing to land elite talent on the recruiting trail. If the Trojans can hold their 2026 class together, it has the potential to be, on paper, at least, one of the best recruiting classes in USC football history. This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Four-star edge rusher Luke Wafle commits to USC
