Ohio State’s 2026 recruiting class is shaping up to be one of the most talent-rich groups in the country - and now, it’s official. With the final composite rankings locked in, three Buckeye signees earned five-star status, highlighting a class loaded with top-tier talent across the board.
Leading the way is wide receiver Chris Henry Jr., who closes out the cycle as the No. 14 overall prospect and No. 2 wide receiver in the nation. Henry’s been a headline name in this class for a while, and his final ranking only reinforces what Buckeye fans have been buzzing about: this kid is the real deal. With elite size, fluid route-running, and the kind of athleticism that pops off the screen, Henry projects as an instant-impact player in Columbus.
Right behind him is Cincere Johnson, the No. 16 overall prospect and the top-ranked linebacker in the 2026 class. Johnson brings a rare blend of sideline-to-sideline speed and downhill physicality. He’s the kind of linebacker who can anchor a defense - and he’s already drawing comparisons to some of the greats who’ve come through the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
Rounding out the trio of five-stars is Jay Timmons, who comes in at No. 24 overall and ranks as the No. 3 cornerback in the class. Timmons is a lockdown specialist with the ball skills and footwork to thrive in man coverage. He’s physical at the line, smooth in transition, and has the kind of instincts that suggest he won’t need long to get on the field.
But the Buckeyes didn’t stop at just three elite prospects. Four more signees landed inside the top 75 of the final composite rankings:
- Jerquaden Guilford, wide receiver (No. 44 overall)
- Khary Wilder, defensive end (**No.
51**)
- Sam Greer, offensive tackle (**No.
52**)
- Blaine Bradford, safety (**No.
73**)
That’s seven top-75 players in one class - a testament to both Ohio State’s national reach on the recruiting trail and their ability to close on high-level talent at nearly every position group. Whether it’s Guilford’s explosiveness after the catch, Wilder’s edge-rushing upside, Greer’s size and technique in the trenches, or Bradford’s versatility on the back end, each of these players adds a valuable piece to the Buckeyes’ future.
As a whole, Ohio State’s 28-man class finishes fourth in the final 2026 team composite rankings, trailing only USC, Alabama, and Oregon. But when you factor in transfers, the Buckeyes jump to second overall in 247Sports’ rankings for total roster additions - behind only LSU.
The composite rankings, finalized after 247Sports released its own Top247 list, pull from multiple sources, including Rivals and ESPN. While only Henry and Johnson earned five-star status in 247’s individual rankings, several others - including Greer, Timmons, Guilford, and Wilder - still cracked the top 100.
Rivals was especially high on this Ohio State group, giving five-star nods to Timmons (No. 12), **Guilford (No.
17)**, Wilder (No. 22), Johnson (No. 26) and **Henry (No.
31)**. ESPN, meanwhile, rated Henry (No. 7) and Johnson (No. 26) as five-stars in their final update.
Put it all together, and the picture is clear: Ohio State just wrapped up one of the most impressive recruiting hauls in the country. With elite talent at wide receiver, linebacker, cornerback, and beyond, this class has the potential to be foundational for the Buckeyes’ next championship push.