Ohio’s 2026 DL Shakes Up Recruiting: Why Gators’ Latest Commitment Could Change Everything

Every now and then, a recruiting commitment catches your eye – the kind that shakes up the usual flow and makes you sit up and take notice. That’s exactly what happened this past Sunday when Jamir Perez, a big-bodied defensive lineman hailing from Cleveland’s Glenville High, threw in his lot with the Florida Gators. Now, here’s a kid who’s been on a whirlwind tour of visits—from the Badgers in Wisconsin to SEC heavyweights like Alabama and Vanderbilt—but after an official look-see in Gainesville, he’s decided it’s Gator time, plain and simple.

What makes Perez’s pledge particularly intriguing isn’t just the program he’s joining, but how quickly Florida moved to lock him in after offering back in early May. Traditionally, Ohio hasn’t served up many jewels to the swamp, but with fresh blood like David Reese—formerly a Florida captain who spent time coaching in the Midwest—Florida’s muscle is flexing in new recruiting territories. Perez told folks he’s “home,” and with good reason: the coaching staff, particularly defensive line guru Gerald Chatman, painted a multi-positional vision that clearly resonated. Sure, the Buckeyes loom large, especially since Glenville is practically Ohio State’s backyard pipeline, so who knows what twists summer might toss. But, for now, the momentum is all Florida’s. If the Gators needed a spark to fire up their 2026 class after some defensive departures, this commitment is it—Perez’s size and potential offer a tantalizing glimpse of what’s to come.

Want the full scoop and all the nitty-gritty details? LEARN MOREHigh School: Glenville High (Ohio)Perez had official visits set to Vanderbilt on May 31, Wisconsin on June 6, Iowa State on June 10 and Ohio State on June 13, and Purdue on June 20.Wisconsin and Cincinnati were considered early leaders for Perez, in that order, but the Big 10 and SEC elites slowly took over the recruiting war. Vanderbilt was the first SEC team to schedule an official visit date, and Alabama and Ohio State were soon in the mix.“I saw the vision, coach Chatman made me see the vision, everybody else made me see the vision. I’m home,” Perez told Gators Online. “I told coach Napier and he was happy. I told a couple of the players here last night that I was going to do it. Once I told coach, he was hype about it and ready for it. Now, it’s time to put in that work.”247Sports does not have the same restraints and ranks Florida No. 73 in both the overall and composite team rankings. Only Kentucky and Missouri trail Florida within the conference. Both programs have one commitment on the books.

David Reese already impacting recruiting

Florida offered Perez at the beginning of the month (May 2) and quickly set up an official visit for two weeks later. Perez had visits lined up through the end of June, but he told Swamp247 he’s locked into his commitment with the Gators.The planned official visits have not officially been canceled, although Perez said he plans to remove them from his schedule. Expect Ohio State to push until the very end. Cleveland Glenville is a pipeline school for the Buckeyes and anything can happen over the summer.March 15, 2025: Wisconsin spring practiceNov. 2, 2024: Syracuse vs. Virginia TechHeight: 6-4

Bio

April 12, 2025: Ohio State spring game”It’s shut down,” Perez said. “I committed today. So therefore, it’s Gator time. So it’s like, ain’t no more room for nobody else, in my opinion. I’m home, I feel home, it’s time.” Weight: 360 pounds

Visits

Glenville (Cleveland, Ohio) defensive lineman Jamir Perez committed to the Florida Gators on Sunday, following an official visit with the football program.It’s not the first time Billy Napier’s coaching staff has snagged a three-star gem from another region, but Ohio isn’t the hotbed Florida is known for pulling from. The connection comes from David Reese, who recently joined Florida’s coaching staff in the quality control department.Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.Reese graduated from Florida in 2019 after serving as a team captain for three seasons. He spent a year pursuing an NFL career before turning his attention to coaching. Reese made stops at Indiana and Eastern Michigan (under Jim McElwain) before returning to Gainesville in February.

Recruiting Summary

Florida remains unranked in the On3 Industry Team Rankings, although Florida’s 85.739 score would rank 49th in the country, just ahead of UCF and behind Duke. A minimum of three commitments is required to make the list, however.Perez and Reese know each other from the EMU coaching stint. Reese told Florida’s coaches about a massive nose tackle from the Midwest, and the tape played well enough to put the wheels in motion.Perez is the second commitment in Florida’s 2026 recruiting class following the loss of three defensive pledges in the cycle. Tampa Jesuit quarterback Will Griffin remains in the fold along with Perez.

Defensive line coach Gerald Chatman got on board and sold Perez on coming to Florida. He pitched a multiple-position plan with plenty of time at the 1-tech nose tackle spot.