Buckeyes Celebrate Major Win with Four-Star Glenville LB Cincere Johnson, But See Top DE Target Luke Wafle Commit to USC in a Mixed Day for Ohio State Recruiting
The rollercoaster nature of college football recruiting was on full display Thursday as the Ohio State Buckeyes experienced a day filled with both celebration and disappointment on the trail. The storied program added an important piece to its 2025 class when four-star linebacker Cincere Johnson of Cleveland Glenville High School officially committed, continuing a rich legacy of Buckeye stars from the East Cleveland powerhouse. But only hours after that high point, Ohio State suffered a tough blow when one of their top defensive end targets, Luke Wafle, opted to commit to USC, bringing a mixed but eventful day for Ryan Day and his staff.
The commitment of Johnson is not just another addition to a highly ranked class—it’s a cultural moment for the program. The Glenville-to-Ohio State pipeline is one of the most legendary in the sport, producing Buckeye greats such as Ted Ginn Jr., Donte Whitner, Marshon Lattimore, and Troy Smith. The addition of Johnson signals a reinforcement of those roots and a continued emphasis on building in-state and regional identity into the fabric of the Buckeyes’ recruiting strategy. In a college football landscape increasingly defined by national recruiting and NIL negotiations, keeping the top local talent at home has become just as crucial as winning battles across the country.
Standing 6-foot-1 and weighing 215 pounds, Johnson is a true field general from his linebacker spot. He brings an aggressive, instinctual style to the game that has drawn comparisons to former Buckeye stars like Raekwon McMillan and Darron Lee. His athleticism flashes on tape, whether he’s shooting gaps, dropping into coverage, or delivering crushing hits in open space. What separates Johnson, however, is his football IQ. Coaches at Glenville describe him as the emotional and mental anchor of the defense, someone who raises the standard for everyone else around him.
“It’s not just the physical tools,” one Ohio State source said after the announcement. “Cincere is a leader, a communicator, and someone you trust to run your defense. He understands concepts, and he’s coachable. We’ve been recruiting him for a long time, and this is the kind of guy you want in your locker room.”
His decision to choose the Buckeyes came after months of strong communication with the coaching staff, particularly defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and linebackers coach James Laurinaitis, who is quickly becoming a major asset for Ohio State on the trail. Laurinaitis, himself a former Buckeye All-American linebacker, has developed a strong reputation for connecting with players, sharing insight from his NFL career, and selling a vision of development that resonates with recruits and their families.
“Coach Laurinaitis is a big reason why I felt comfortable with Ohio State,” Johnson said shortly after his announcement. “He knows what it takes to play at the highest level. He told me the truth from the beginning, and he’s someone I know will push me to be my best.”
Johnson had picked up offers from Michigan, Penn State, Notre Dame, and Tennessee, among others, but ultimately the chance to play close to home and represent a program with deep ties to his high school proved too strong to resist. He now becomes one of the key defensive anchors in Ohio State’s 2025 class, a group that is shaping up to be one of the deepest and most balanced in the country.
Yet, even as the Buckeyes celebrated Johnson’s commitment, they were forced to absorb a tough loss later in the day when four-star defensive end Luke Wafle announced that he would be heading to the West Coast to play for Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans. Wafle, a top-200 national prospect out of The Hun School in Princeton, New Jersey, had long been considered one of Ohio State’s priority targets at defensive end.
Wafle, who stands at 6-foot-3 and 270 pounds, has the build and skill set of a future college star. His ability to rush the passer with a combination of power and speed, paired with strong fundamentals against the run, made him a coveted piece for several blue-blood programs. Ohio State had hosted Wafle multiple times in Columbus and was believed to be in the top two alongside USC heading into the final days of his recruitment.
The decision to commit to the Trojans was met with disappointment from Ohio State fans and staff alike, especially given the growing urgency to reload and upgrade the defensive line room. With star defensive ends like J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer potentially entering their final seasons, adding elite edge talent has been one of the top priorities for the 2025 cycle. Wafle would have fit that mold perfectly.
Instead, his commitment to USC marks another win for Lincoln Riley and Trojans defensive line coach Eric Henderson, who have made major strides in improving their presence on the defensive side of the ball—an area that has long been a question mark under Riley’s watch. Wafle is seen as a foundational piece in their efforts to close that gap as they prepare to enter the Big Ten.
For Ohio State, the loss of Wafle doesn’t mean all hope is lost on the defensive line front, but it does shift focus to other remaining top targets, including five-star edge Zion Grady of Alabama, four-star prospect Booker Pickett Jr. from Florida, and in-state sleeper Davion Mosley from Dayton. The Buckeyes still hold significant traction with several of these players and will be hosting more official visits in the coming weeks.
“We’re disappointed to lose out on Luke, no doubt,” a source close to the program said. “But we feel confident in where we stand with a number of high-level guys. This process is far from over, and we’re not backing off anyone.”
The contrast between Thursday’s two major announcements captures the essence of recruiting in today’s college football world. Every gain is hard-earned, and every loss must be quickly absorbed and learned from. With the stakes higher than ever, especially in the NIL era, programs are competing on more fronts than ever before: relationships, facilities, on-field production, and increasingly, financial and branding opportunities for athletes.
Ohio State remains a juggernaut in the recruiting world, consistently landing top-five classes and developing talent for the NFL at an elite rate. However, the margin for error has shrunk dramatically as more schools invest heavily in their recruiting departments and as players prioritize different aspects of the college experience. The Buckeyes are adapting to this shift, adding staff, deepening their high school and transfer portal evaluations, and relying on an extensive alumni network to maintain relevance and prestige in living rooms across America.
Ryan Day, now entering a pivotal season that could define his legacy in Columbus, continues to emphasize the importance of elite recruiting while balancing the need for player development and cultural fit. Day has been candid about the need for more leadership and physicality on defense, and the addition of players like Johnson supports that vision. At the same time, missing out on Wafle underscores the competitive pressure the Buckeyes face when going head-to-head with national powers like USC, Alabama, Georgia, and others.
Thursday may have been a mixed day, but in the big picture, Ohio State’s recruiting machine remains in motion. The 2025 class is loaded with potential, and there are still many dominoes left to fall. Cincere Johnson’s commitment marks a symbolic and strategic victory—one that could lay the foundation for more in-state success. Losing Wafle, while disappointing, is not a fatal blow, and Ohio State will undoubtedly recalibrate and pursue new targets with the same intensity.
For now, Buckeye fans can celebrate another Glenville star staying home while acknowledging that the road to National Signing Day is filled with twists, turns, and high-stakes decisions. And on days like Thursday, where joy and frustration collide, the drama of college football recruiting reminds everyone why it’s one of the sport’s most compelling storylines.
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