The Buckeyes have added a fourth defensive tackle to their 2026 recruiting class.
Four-star defensive tackle Emanuel Ruffin committed to Ohio State on Sunday, becoming the highest-ranked DT and the third four-star defensive lineman in Ohio State’s 2026 recruiting class.
BREAKING: Four-Star DL Emanuel Ruffin has Committed to Ohio State, he tells me for @rivalsThe 64 290 DL from Bessemer, AL decommitted from Colorado on TuesdayJohn 13:7https://t.co/SHVGugWI69 pic.twitter.com/HRXGrFvWnY
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) November 9, 2025
A former Colorado pledge, Ruffin commits to Ohio State just five days after decommitting from the Buffaloes.
Hailing from Bessemer, Alabama, Ruffin is the No. 197 overall prospect and No. 26 defensive lineman in the 247Sports composite. Standing 6-foot-4 and 295 pounds, he projects as a defensive tackle at the next level, especially as he adds more weight in a college strength and conditioning program. He picked Ohio State over offers from countless top programs, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Miami, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas, USC and Washington, among others.
The Ruffin File
Class: 2026
Size: 6-4/295
Pos: DT
School: Bessemer City (Bessemer, Alabama)
Composite Rating: ★★★★
Composite Rank: #197 (#26 DL)
The Buckeyes were a top contender in Ruffin’s initial recruitment. He made an official visit to Ohio State in June. When he set his initial commitment date of July 4, he announced Ohio State, Alabama, Texas, LSU and Georgia as his finalists. But he ultimately opted to push his commitment back.
Colorado then emerged in the race, extending Ruffin an offer on Sep. 16 and landing his commitment on Sep. 23. Ohio State was the only school to remain a finalist out of the original group, joining the Buffaloes, Missouri and Ole Miss as the group he selected from in September.
Ruffin continued to welcome suitors while committed to Colorado, taking an official visit to Missouri in October. The Buffaloes, meanwhile, have lost five of their last six games as questions have swirled about the future of head coach Deion Sanders, who is dealing with health issues. That combination helped lead to Ruffin’s decommitment and eventual verbal to Ohio State.
The defensive tackle’s tape makes it easy to see why he was so sought-after. Ruffin is nimble, explosive and extremely athletic for a 295-pound man. He finishes plays with violence. He’s excellent at stacking and shedding blocks in the run game, though he will need to work on his pad level. Refinement of his hand fighting to become a more effective pass rusher will also be beneficial.
Ruffin finished his junior season with 51 tackles, two tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. As a senior, Ruffin has 40 tackles with two tackles for loss, one sack and a fumble recovery in nine games.
Ruffin is the fourth defensive tackle to commit to Ohio State in the 2026 recruiting class as Johnson builds depth for the future of his room. He joins four-star Damari Simeon, three-star Cameron Brickle and three-star Jamir Perez. Four-star defensive end Khary Wilder gives the Buckeyes five total defensive line commits in the class.
Ruffin becomes the 24th overall member of Ohio State’s 2026 recruiting class. He’s the third player to commit to the Buckeyes in four days, joining cornerback Jay Timmons and offensive lineman Mason Wilhelm.
Class of 2026 Commits
Pos
Name
Rating
Rank
Size
School
WR
#20 NATL | #2 WR
6-5 | 205
Mater Dei (Santa Ana, California)
S
#41 NATL | #6 S
6-1 | 207
Catholic (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
OT
#55 NATL | #5 OT
6-6 | 310
Archbishop Hoban (Akron, Ohio)
LB
#67 NATL | #10 ED
6-3 | 225
Glenville (Cleveland, Ohio)
DE
#79 NATL | #9 DL
6-4 | 260
Junipero Serra (Gardena, California)
CB
#98 NATL | #11 CB
6-1 | 185
Bergen Catholic (Oradell, New Jersey)
S
#109 NATL | #7 LB
6-3 | 185
The Bolles School (Jacksonville, Florida)
CB
#136 NATL | #17 CB
5-11 | 185
Pine-Richland (Gibsonia, Pennsylvania)
WR
#142 NATL | #20 WR
6-2 | 180
Mater Dei (Santa Ana, California)
OT
#143 NATL | #11 OT
6-5 | 280
Avon Lake (Avon Lake, Ohio)
DT
#197 NATL | #26 DL
6-4| 295
Bessemer City (Bessemer, Alabama)
RB
#210 NATL | #15 RB
6-0 | 190
Rutherford B Hayes (Delaware, Ohio)
DT
#211 NATL | #29 DL
6-3 | 275
St. Augustine Prep (Richland, New Jersey)
LB
#295 NATL| #20 LB
6-3| 225
Olentangy (Lewis Center, Ohio)
WR
#301 NATL | #46 WR
6-2 | 190
Northrop (Fort Wayne, Indiana)
WR
#334 NATL | #52 WR
6-0 | 187
Watkins Memorial (Pataskala, Ohio)
WR
#504 NATL | #75 WR
6-2 | 183
Southlake Carroll (Southlake, Texas)
DT
#532 NATL | #63 DL
6-2 | 305
IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida)
OL
#532 NATL | #40 IOL
6-5 | 280
Sandra Day O’Connor (Phoenix, Arizona)
QB
#580 NATL | #34 QB
6-1 | 185
Mission Viejo (Mission Viejo, California)
DT
#724 NATL | #89 DL
6-4 | 330
Glenville (Cleveland, Ohio)
S
#923 NATL | #78 CB
6-0 | 190
St. Frances Academy (Baltimore, Maryland)
OT
#1123 NATL | #94 OT
6-5 | 280
Mentor (Mentor, Ohio)
OL
#1276 NATL | #101 IOL
6-4 | 285
St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio)
Prospect Rating Data: 247Sports Composite