The Ohio State Buckeyes became the early favorite for one of the top linebackers in the 2026 recruiting class. That remains the case, but Ohio State’s biggest competition for the highly touted star is likely to come from a familiar foe.
Rivals’ Greg Smith wrote Thursday that the Penn State Nittany Lions are “lurking” in the recruitment of four-star linebacker Cincere Johnson.
Advertisement
“The thought process around elite linebacker prospect Cincere Johnson’s recruitment all along has been that Ohio State is the clear team to beat. That is likely true. He’s an Ohio native that the Buckeyes have prioritized heavily and his high school has a strong pipeline to Columbus,” wrote Smith.
“But there is another Big Ten team lurking.
“Penn State also has its own rich linebacker tradition and the program has done a great job recruiting Johnson.”
Ohio State Buckeyes football head coach Ryan Day© Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Former Buckeyes defensive coordinator Jim Knowles leaving this offseason for Penn State could also complicate matters for Ohio State recruiting Johnson.
Advertisement
“Of course the added wrinkle here is that defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is now in place at Penn State. He was recruiting Johnson to Ohio State so the two are very familiar with each other,” wrote Smith.
On3 reported on May 6 that Ohio State, Penn State and the Alabama Crimson Tide were Johnson’s top three schools. The linebacker retweeted that report.
Smith called the Crimson Tide a “good option” for Johnson but concluded writing the linebacker’s recruitment will come down to the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions.
According to the 247 Sports composite rankings, Johnson is rated the No. 9 edge rusher in the 2026 recruiting class. The rankings also have Johnson as the No. 2 Ohio recruit and No. 73 overall prospect in the class.
Related: Ohio State Predicted to Lose Star Running Back to Georgia
