Fans are stunned as Ryan Day announced two key players plans. The Buckeyes secured their third commitment of the week—and their second in just two days—as in-state linebacker CJ Sanna announced his commitment to Ohio State.
Sanna, a standout at Olentangy High School in Lewis Center, Ohio, is rated the No. 449 overall prospect, No. 35 linebacker, and No. 20 player in Ohio according to 247Sports’ composite rankings.
He chose the Buckeyes over a long list of 25 offers from schools such as Cincinnati, Duke, Iowa, Miami, Michigan State, and Oklahoma. Wisconsin, considered Ohio State’s biggest competitor for Sanna, had an official visit scheduled with him before his commitment.
Sanna is now the fifth in-state recruit in Ohio State’s 2026 class, joining offensive linemen Maxwell Riley and Sam Greer, cornerback Jakob Weatherspoon, and wide receiver Jaeden Ricketts. He becomes the 10th overall commit in a class that currently ranks third nationally, trailing only USC and Clemson.
Sanna joins safeties Blaine Bradford and Simeon Caldwell as the latest additions to Ohio State’s 2026 group this week. While Caldwell has been listed as a linebacker by some recruiting services, he’s expected to play safety in Columbus. That makes Sanna the first official linebacker commit in the class.
Sanna had a strong junior season at Olentangy, posting 97 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 7 sacks at middle linebacker. He earned an offer from Ohio State back in January and has been on the Buckeyes’ radar ever since.
Some potential future linebacker additions for the Buckeyes include five-star Tyler Atkinson from Georgia, in-state talent Cincere Johnson, and four-star Jacob Eberhart out of Missouri.
Another Buckeye Defender Sheds Black Stripe: Buckeye Breakfast Update.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State has seen another sophomore defensive lineman lose his black stripe, marking the second such development this week.
Eric Mensah had his stripe removed on Thursday, making him the fourth scholarship player and third sophomore to achieve the milestone this spring. His removal comes just two days after fellow defensive lineman Dominic Kirks had his stripe removed.
Earlier in the spring, sophomore cornerback Miles Lockhart was the first to lose his black stripe (on March 29), followed by tight end Max Klare, the first newcomer to do so.
Mensah, a three-star recruit in the 2024 class per 247Sports Composite, saw limited action as a true freshman, playing just seven defensive snaps.
