Ohio State has offered its first linebacker of the 2026 class.
On Monday, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles extended an offer to California prospect Samu Moala, intrigued by the 6-foot-3, 230-pound standout’s versatility.
“It felt great,” Moala told Eleven Warriors of Ohio State's offer. “I always watched them since I was a kid. They were always a top team and a fun team to watch. Coach Jim Knowles offered me, he just talked to my coaches first and then we had a brief conversation about how I play both positions defensive end and linebacker, and then he offered me.”
Ohio state offered!Thank you @CoachJimKnowles @OhioStateFB for this opportunity to further my education and dreams! @GregBiggins @adamgorney @BManu86 @recruitcoachmc @Leuzinger_FB #AG2G pic.twitter.com/LsISLKVLri
— Samu Moala (@SamuMoala) April 24, 2023
In his freshman season at Leuzinger High School (Lawndale, California), Moala racked up 45 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, five sacks, 12 quarterback hurries and one pass deflection. Moala also caught three passes for 72 yards with one touchdown on offense.
“My best ability on the field as a player is probably how I can play multiple positions at a high level and just my awareness of the game,” Moala said. “The biggest factor for me in recruiting is probably just building a good relationship with coaches because I wanna go somewhere where I feel like it’s family.”
To this point, Moala has picked up 13 Division I offers, including Arizona, Auburn, BYU, Colorado, Georgia, Oregon, Oregon State, Tennessee, USC, Utah, Washington and Washington State. He considers the Buckeyes one of his top offers in his recruitment.
“OSU is by far one of my favorite offers because I know a lot of top defensive players that went there and went first round in the NFL Draft,” Moala said. “The most appealing thing if I played at OSU is probably just the atmosphere of the fans and all the noise because I know OSU has die-hard fans and I just like all the excitement. It gets me hyped.”
Moala said he “most definitely” plans to visit Ohio State sometime next year after his sophomore season.
Jordan Lyle puts Ohio State in Top 5
Monday afternoon, Ohio State made the cut in the final seven schools for one of its top remaining running back targets in the 2024 class, Taylor Tatum.
On Monday, Ohio State was among the top five schools remaining for four-star Florida running back Jordan Lyle. Lyle included the Buckeyes in his top five, along with Alabama, Miami, Georgia and Florida State.
Truly blessed to say this is my Final 5!! @CoachHarriott @EugeneBethea1 @Hayesfawcett3 @CoachTonyAlford @DellMcGee @CoachT_HarrisJR @CoachYACJohnson @BAMACoachG @STA_Football @StaBooster pic.twitter.com/Iuq0O0M1mN
— Jordan M Lyle (@jlyle0) April 25, 2023
Lyle visited Ohio State for a multi-day visit in March and has scheduled an official visit to Columbus for June 2. The 6-foot, 180-pound ball carrier picked up his offer on Jan. 10 and is considered the 320th-ranked prospect and the 28th-rated running back in the 2024 class per 247Sports’ composite rankings.
The Buckeyes are still hoping to land one more running back in its current cycle and are considering Lyle, Tatum and DeJuan Williams as possible options.
Had a great time this weekend at Ohio state University! #Buckeyes @CoachTonyAlford @ryandaytime @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/LP3iu2MGbu
— Jordan M Lyle (@jlyle0) March 27, 2023
Last season for St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Fort Lauderdale, Florida), Lyle helped lead his team to an undefeated season at 14-0 and won a state title. He ran for 1,015 yards on 91 carries (11.2 yards per carry) and 12 rushing touchdowns. He also caught six passes for 55 yards.
Brady Prieskorn commits to Michigan
Ohio State has been hot on the recruiting trail lately, but so has its arch-rival. Michigan landed the commitment of four-star Michigan tight end Brady Prieskorn on Tuesday, choosing from a final eight of Michigan, Ohio State, Alabama, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Penn State, Georgia and Miami.
Go Blue@Hayesfawcett3 pic.twitter.com/TyRj4TlUsV
— Brady Prieskorn (@bpkorn00) April 25, 2023
He’s considered the 56th-best prospect and the second-rated tight end in the 2024 class. Prieskorn is the 13th Wolverine commitment in the 2024 class and puts Michigan just behind Georgia at No. 3 in 247Sports’ national recruiting rankings.
