Ohio State football just scored another major victory on the recruiting trail—this time, from their own backyard. CJ Sanna, a talented linebacker out of Olentangy High School in Lewis Center, Ohio, officially announced his commitment to the Buckeyes, giving Ryan Day and his coaching staff yet another high-potential addition to the 2026 recruiting class.
Sanna, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound force in the middle of the defense, had been a rising name in recruiting circles for months. With explosive speed, sideline-to-sideline coverage ability, and a knack for finding the football, he became a key target for several top programs, including Wisconsin and Michigan. But in the end, Ohio State’s strong in-state presence, tradition, and reputation for developing elite defenders won out.
“It was surreal,” Sanna told On3 after receiving his offer from the Buckeyes earlier this year. “To grow up watching Ohio State, to dream about playing in the Shoe, and now to know I’ll actually get to wear the scarlet and gray—it’s unreal.”
His commitment didn’t come without competition. Sanna had official visits lined up with both Ohio State and Wisconsin, and he received heavy interest from other Big Ten schools. But the combination of proximity, program prestige, and a deep connection with the OSU coaching staff made the Buckeyes the clear favorite. Linebackers coach James Laurinaitis played a major role in Sanna’s recruitment, emphasizing how he’d be developed not only as a player but as a future leader.
Sanna put up big numbers in his junior season—97 tackles, seven sacks, and countless disruptive plays that made him a standout in Ohio high school football. His combination of size, athleticism, and instincts has drawn comparisons to past Buckeye greats, and he’s expected to compete for early playing time once he arrives on campus.
The reaction to his commitment has been overwhelmingly positive across Buckeye Nation.
Former Buckeye linebacker and NFL vet Joshua Perry celebrated the news on social media, posting, “Olentangy representing! Congrats CJ. Huge pickup for the Buckeyes.” Five-star wide receiver Chris Henry Jr., another Ohio State commit, also gave Sanna a shoutout on Instagram, welcoming him to the growing 2026 class.
Fans flooded Facebook and Twitter with enthusiasm. One Ohio State fan page declared, “BOOM! Another elite in-state prospect staying home. This defense is about to be serious.” Others emphasized the significance of keeping top local talent in Ohio, especially when national programs are aggressively recruiting the state.
Ohio State’s 2026 recruiting class now features ten players, with five of them hailing from the Buckeye State. That blend of local loyalty and national pull has long been the foundation of Ohio State’s recruiting dominance—and CJ Sanna fits right into that tradition.
Analysts see him as a multi-year starter with the potential to become an All-Big Ten performer. His versatility could allow him to play inside or outside linebacker depending on how he develops physically, but his football IQ and motor make him a likely contributor on special teams and defense early in his career.
With Sanna’s commitment, Ryan Day’s staff continues to build a defense built on speed, aggression, and physicality. And for fans of the scarlet and gray, it’s just another sign that the future in Columbus remains bright.
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