Eric Boggs
Ohio State continues to gain momentum on the recruiting trail, particularly along the defensive line, as the Buckeyes secured a second commitment at defensive tackle in as many days. Following the pledge of four-star Damari Simeon, IMG Academy’s Cameron Brickle gave his verbal commitment to Ohio State on Saturday, adding even more firepower to Larry Johnson’s 2026 defensive line haul. Brickle becomes the 19th overall commitment in the Buckeyes’ 2026 class and joins Simeon and edge rusher Khary Wilder as part of an increasingly formidable defensive front.
The Buckeyes had to fend off a serious push from Penn State to secure Brickle, who hails originally from Pennsylvania. He also took official visits to Florida State and Maryland but ultimately saw his future in Columbus under the guidance of one of the best defensive line coaches in college football. Johnson built a strong relationship with Brickle during the evaluation period, officially offering him back in October during a standout junior campaign. That early investment paid dividends, as Brickle prioritized Ohio State and committed just weeks after his official visit to campus.
Though currently ranked as a three-star recruit and the No. 537 overall prospect in the 2026 cycle, Brickle’s offer sheet tells a much bigger story. Programs like Alabama, Georgia, Texas, USC, Michigan, and Notre Dame all pursued him, showing the national respect for his upside. The 6-foot-2, 305-pound lineman played his freshman and junior seasons at Malvern Prep in Pennsylvania, spent his sophomore year at Rancho Santa Margarita in California, and will now close out his high school career at IMG Academy under former Ohio State offensive line coach Greg Studrawa. That connection further ties Brickle’s development to Ohio State’s pipeline of top-tier talent.
On the field, Brickle brings versatility and power to the Buckeyes’ future defensive front. Though he has the build of a nose tackle, he projects to play the 3-technique spot in Ohio State’s scheme, similar to how Tyleik Williams thrived in that role during his time in Columbus. Brickle has seen his share of double-teams in high school but uses his size, athleticism, and quick first step to be a disruptive force in the backfield. His experience across multiple defensive systems and positions gives new defensive coordinator Matt Patricia a flexible piece who can line up in both even and odd fronts as needed.
While Brickle will likely need a developmental period at the collegiate level, he has all the traits necessary to become a high-level contributor in time. His commitment not only strengthens Ohio State’s interior depth but also continues the trend of Johnson stacking high-upside talent across the defensive line. With the potential for more additions at defensive tackle—such as Jamir Perez, Emanuel Ruffin, or Deuce Geralds—the Buckeyes are once again building the kind of dominant trench presence that wins Big Ten titles and competes for national championships. For Ohio State fans, the addition of Cameron Brickle is another clear signal that the Silver Bullets are in good hands for years to come.
