Eric Boggs
Ohio State’s November recruiting tear continued as the Buckeyes secured a significant defensive addition, flipping Braxton Rembert from Wake Forest and strengthening an already impressive 2026 linebacker group. Rembert becomes the third linebacker in the class—joining in-state talents Cincere Johnson and CJ Sanna—and the seventh player this month to choose Ohio State after previously committing elsewhere.
Rembert, listed as the No. 590 overall prospect and No. 56 edge rusher in the 247Sports composite, immediately made Ohio State a priority once he earned his offer on Oct. 26. Within weeks he decommitted from Wake Forest and aligned himself with the defending national champions. His visit to Columbus for the UCLA weekend sealed his decision, and the atmosphere left a lasting mark.
“The atmosphere is unreal,” Rembert told reporters after the trip. “The opportunity to play under Ryan Day and his program after they just won the national championship is not something I thought I would be able to do if you told me this 10 months ago.”
The 6-foot-6 Mill Creek (Ga.) standout has been one of the most productive defenders in the state this season. His stat sheet reads like that of a future star: 49 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, nine sacks, three forced fumbles, an interception, and six pass breakups. His combination of elite length, explosiveness, and closing speed gives him rare upside at linebacker. James Laurinaitis saw that potential immediately, choosing to prioritize Rembert over other late-cycle flip targets.
Though he is listed as an edge rusher by some recruiting services, Ohio State projects Rembert primarily as a linebacker—with the versatility to play situationally off the edge, similar to how Arvell Reese is used in the current Buckeye defense. He will need to add weight before he’s ready for Big Ten action, but his frame, range, and disruption make him a high-ceiling developmental addition.
Interestingly, Rivals is significantly higher on Rembert than other recruiting outlets, vaulting him into their Rivals250 this week at No. 202 nationally and the No. 12 linebacker in the country.
Rembert joins a 2026 class that has surged to national prominence behind a wave of November flips—including Jay Timmons, Emanuel Ruffin, Legend Bey, Mason Wilhelm, Dre Quinn, and Nick Lautar. With recruiting momentum at full throttle, Ryan Day and his staff continue to reinforce why Ohio State remains one of the most formidable programs in college football—on the field and on the trail.
