Ohio State has offered one of the top prospects in the 2026 class.
OSU defensive line coach Larry Johnson offered five-star Louisiana defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart on Monday, making him the fourth defensive line prospect the Buckeyes have offered in the 2026 cycle.
After a great talk with @R2X_Rushmen1 and @CoachLCTrenches I have earned a scholarship offer from The @OhioStateFB thank you @ryandaytime #GoBucks @EDGEASSASSINS @StAugnola @BuckeyeScoop @Bucknuts247 pic.twitter.com/lqLL5WkTSz
— Jahkeem THANOS Stewart (@Jahkeem2026) November 28, 2023
Per 247Sports’ composite rankings, Stewart is the No. 2-ranked prospect and the top-rated defensive lineman in the cycle. As you might expect for a prospect of his caliber, he’s picked up no shortage of offers, including Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Colorado, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Mizzou, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M and USC. He holds 25 Division I offers in total.
The 6-foot-6, 270-pound prospect plays both defensive tackle and defensive end for St. Augustine (New Orleans, Louisiana). He racked up 20 sacks, 85 tackles (33 tackles for loss) and six forced fumbles this season.
Ernest Willor Jr. to visit OSU Dec. 8
On Tuesday evening, four-star 2024 defensive tackle Carlon Jones officially announced his decommitment from Nebraska, reopening his recruitment a few weeks before National Signing Day with an official visit set for Ohio State on Dec. 8.
Jones won’t be the only defensive line prospect on that visit.
Per On3, four-star Maryland defensive lineman Ernest Willor Jr. will also be making an official visit Dec. 8-10. Willor hasn’t been to OSU since 2021, but will return to Columbus two weekends before the Dec. 20 National Signing Day.
“The proof is in the pudding with coach (Larry) Johnson,” Willor Jr. told On3. “He coaches his guys hard, he develops them and he gets them drafted. He is an old soul with great knowledge.”
The 6-foot-3, 255-pound Willor Jr. will also visit Wisconsin (Dec. 1-3) and Maryland (Dec. 15-17) before making a final decision. He’s also considering visiting Miami and Virginia Tech. Willor Jr. is considered the 112th-ranked player and the 17th-best defensive lineman in the 2024 cycle.
“I have been waiting for these official visits,” Willor told On3 of OSU, Wisconsin and Maryland. “I have been to all of the schools on my list at least once besides Wisconsin. All three schools recruit me hard, I have relationships with coaches and the visits will give me a chance to really see everything about the school.”
Ohio natives Carter Smith, Zeke Correll enter transfer portal
While the official transfer portal window for the winter doesn’t officially open until Monday, hundreds of players have already announced their intentions to transfer. Offensive line is a position where OSU could make additions in this portal season, and two intriguing players from the Buckeye State have announced they intend to transfer: Indiana offensive tackle Carter Smith and Notre Dame center Zeke Correll.
Thank you Notre Dame pic.twitter.com/gb1Lm2IGyO
— Zeke Correll (@zekecorrell) November 27, 2023
Romans 12:2 pic.twitter.com/m9Xwnvl1FX
— Carter Smith (@thecartersmith0) November 27, 2023
Smith, a Powell, Ohio, resident, played left tackle for the Hoosiers as a redshirt freshman this year and will have three seasons of eligibility remaining. Per Pro Football Focus’ grades, the 6-foot-5, 305-pound Smith was the 10th-best offensive tackle in the Big Ten this season, turning in an overall grade of 68.6. Smith had little difference in his passing blocking (68) and run blocking (69) grades for the Hoosiers this season.
Correll, a Cincinnati resident, was a three-year starter for Notre Dame and will have one season of eligibility remaining. He turned in an overall offensive grade of 61.7 this season, but was a far better pass blocker (grade of 78) than a run blocker (grade of 58.7) for the Fighting Irish last season.
Amare Adams to commit Dec. 3
A defensive lineman in the 2025 class with an Ohio State offer is ready to make a decision. Four-star South Carolina defensive lineman Amare Adams announced on Tuesday he plans to commit to his future team on Sunday.
Commitment Dec. 3
— Amare Adams (@AmareAdams7) November 28, 2023
Adams was offered by OSU on Feb. 9, but never really got much traction with the Buckeyes in his recruitment. Ahead of the decision date, South Carolina is the favorite to land Adams.
