Eric Boggs
Our recruiting insiders Buck Vader and the Marvelous Mecah have been saying for weeks that as long as Dre Quinn’s visit to Ohio State went well for the UCLA game, he would be a Buckeye. It didn’t take long for that prophecy to become true, as Ohio State must have landed the plane when it came to this recruiting. Four-star defensive end Dre Quinn committed late Saturday evening, giving the 2026 class another explosive piece in the trenches. Quinn becomes the second defensive end in the class and the latest in a growing list of November additions, as Ohio State pushes toward the early signing period with elite momentum.
A former Clemson commit, Quinn is ranked the No. 391 overall prospect and the No. 36 EDGE in the 247Sports composite. The 6-foot-4, 228-pound defender plays for Buford High School (GA)—the same powerhouse program that produced Buckeye defensive tackle Eddrick Houston—and brings versatility, athleticism, and a relentless motor to Larry Johnson’s defensive line room.
Quinn originally pledged to Clemson on May 30 after official visits with the Tigers, Georgia, and South Carolina. But everything changed when he made an unofficial visit to Tennessee on September 13, a move that violated head coach Dabo Swinney’s long-standing policy on commitments. Swinney acknowledged the rule publicly soon after, saying, “Yes, that is a policy… I don’t visit committed guys here.” The fallout was swift—Quinn decommitted from Clemson less than two weeks later.
Ohio State quickly capitalized. Quinn traveled to Columbus for an official visit during the Buckeyes’ dominant 48–10 win over UCLA, and before the night was over, he informed the staff he was ready to join the class. His commitment came just one day after the Buckeyes also landed four-star 2027 safety Eli Johnson, extending a run of success that now includes five 2026 commits and three 2027 commits in November alone.
On the field, Quinn brings a blend of explosiveness and power that fits perfectly with Ohio State’s recent defensive identity. At Buford, he rotates between 3-tech and 5-tech in a 3–4 base, showing the ability to shoot gaps, overpower interior linemen, and chase down plays from the backside. Through ten games, he has totaled 53 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and two sacks, helping lead Buford to an 11–0 record and a spot in the Georgia 6A Sweet 16.
Though he will need to add bulk and refine his pass-rush technique at the college level, Quinn already flashes the burst and competitive toughness that Johnson has long developed into NFL-caliber talent. His speed in pursuit, surprising power at the point of attack, and ability to contribute on offense as a tight end speak to his all-around athletic profile.
Quinn joins fellow four-star defensive end Khary Wilder in a rapidly expanding defensive line class that also includes four-star tackles Emanuel Ruffin and Damari Simeon, along with three-star DTs Jamir Perez and Cameron Brickle.
Ohio State’s 2026 class now sits at 25 commitments, featuring star power at every level—including five-star receiver Chris Henry Jr., top-10 safety Blaine Bradford, elite linemen such as Sam Greer and Maxwell Riley, and a wave of four-star defenders who continue to position the Buckeyes for long-term dominance.
Dre Quinn’s pledge is yet another example of Ohio State closing strong, recruiting nationally, and stockpiling high-upside talent where championships are built—on the defensive line.
