Ohio State Secures Game-Changing Four-Star Safety Pledge Just Hours Before Crucial UCLA Showdown—What It Means for the Season!

Just when you thought the Buckeyes’ 2027 recruiting class couldn’t get any more electric, bam! Eli Johnson, a four-star safety out of Texas, throws his lot in with Ohio State. The news hit right before kickoff against UCLA, injecting some serious momentum into the program’s ongoing hunt for top-tier talent. Ranked as the No. 10 safety in his class by 247Sports, Johnson is not just another name on the roster—he’s the sixth gem in a class already boasting a No. 5 national ranking. And get this, he edged out heavy hitters like Oklahoma, Texas, and Michigan to proudly wear the scarlet and gray. For anyone keeping tabs on the Buckeyes, it’s clear—they’re steadily stacking wins, on the field and in the recruiting game. LEARN MORE

Boom! The Ohio State football team got some good news just hours before the start of the game against UCLA. The Buckeyes received a commitment from four-star safety Eli Johnson.

Johnson is a member of the 2027 class and is rated as the No. 10 safety in the class according to 247Sports composite rankings. Johnson becomes the sixth member of the class for Ohio State, a class that ranks No. 5 overall at this early point in the recruiting cycle. He is the second-highest rated recruit in the class behind five-star receiver Jamier Brown.

The Texas native had plenty of offers but chose the Buckeyes over Oklahoma, Texas, and Michigan. It’s great news for Ohio State, which continues to rack up wins on and off the field as the team continues to collect talent.

This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State adds to 2027 class with addition of four-star safety