Eric Boggs
James Laurinaitis just reeled in another big one. Four-star linebacker Cincere Johnson has officially committed to Ohio State, becoming the 16th pledge in the Buckeyes’ 2026 recruiting class and the second linebacker in the group alongside CJ Sanna. This is not just a quality addition—this is a culture fit, a hometown connection, and a clear sign that Ohio State’s defensive identity under Laurinaitis and Matt Patricia is taking shape.
It always felt like a matter of when, not if, Johnson would commit to the scarlet and gray. The Glenville product received his offer last September and remained methodical in his recruitment, making several visits to campus, including his most recent one last Friday during his official visit. That visit turned out to be the final piece. After seeing firsthand how he would be developed in Columbus, Johnson pulled the trigger just six days later.
When asked in May what stood out most about the Buckeyes, Johnson didn’t hesitate—“Ryan Day, James Laurinaitis and just the brotherhood and relationships that are going on down in Columbus.” He also praised the intensity and focus the team showed during spring practices coming off a national title run, along with the addition of defensive mastermind Matt Patricia to the coaching staff.
Johnson’s commitment continues the legacy pipeline from Cleveland Glenville to Columbus, a connection that has helped shape Ohio State’s defensive identity over the years. Johnson is now the fourth Tarblooder to commit to the Buckeyes in the past three cycles, joining Bryce West, Arvell Reese, and Damarion Witten. Glenville isn’t just a recruiting hotbed—it’s practically a Buckeye farm system at this point. And the Buckeyes may not be done yet. Johnson’s teammate, defensive tackle Jamir Perez, is still pledged to Florida, but with an official visit to OSU already under his belt, momentum may be shifting. Ohio State is firmly in that battle.
From a talent perspective, Johnson is as real as they come. According to the 247Sports composite rankings, he sits as the No. 71 overall prospect in the 2026 class and the No. 8 edge defender. At 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, he brings a rare combination of strength, versatility, and quickness. He can play inside at the Mike or Will, but also has the frame and explosiveness to line up on the edge and disrupt opposing quarterbacks.
That versatility is what makes him such a valuable asset to this 2026 class. He’s a fluid pass rusher, a strong tackler, and, maybe most impressively, he’s held his own in coverage against smaller, quicker receivers. He’s not just a thumper—he’s a modern linebacker who fits what Ohio State is building under Laurinaitis.
It makes sense that Johnson modeled his game after Arvell Reese. The two are close friends, and Johnson says Reese mentored him from the beginning of his high school career. With Reese already contributing in Columbus, it’s easy to see why Johnson sees Ohio State as the perfect place to continue that path.
His long-term ceiling is high, and while an immediate impact as a true freshman is a possibility, the more realistic projection is that Johnson competes for a spot on the two-deep by his second year. With Laurinaitis molding him, and with the kind of production OSU is getting out of guys like Sonny Styles and Cody Simon, Johnson is walking into a linebacker room built for development and NFL preparation.
Here at The OHIO Podcast, we’ve been tracking the 2026 class closely with our own internal recruiting rankings. Cincere Johnson will be added to our list next, but for those following along, we’ve already placed evaluations and rankings on several current Buckeye commits, offering our own unique analysis from an Ohio State fan’s perspective. This isn’t just about star ratings—this is about system fit, leadership, development potential, and Buckeye DNA.
With Cincere Johnson on board, Ohio State’s 2026 class gets stronger both on paper and in identity. He brings the grit of Glenville, the leadership of a future captain, and the physical tools of a Big Ten game-changer. The future at linebacker in Columbus just got even brighter.
