Ohio State continues to be in the mix for one of the most highly sought-after defensive linemen in the 2026 recruiting class. Deuce Geralds, a four-star prospect from Georgia, has included the Buckeyes in his top 10 schools, as he revealed to On3’s Hayes Fawcett on Wednesday. The talented defensive lineman is drawing interest from multiple powerhouse programs, with his list also featuring Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and Oregon.
Geralds has already started taking visits to some of his preferred schools this spring, including Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, and Michigan, according to On3’s Hunter Shelton. However, his recruitment remains an ongoing process, and he plans to visit more programs as he works toward narrowing down his options. With over a year left before signing day for the 2026 class, Geralds is in no rush to make a final decision, but his visits and interactions with coaching staffs will play a crucial role in determining where he ultimately commits.
Ranked as both a top-10 defensive lineman and a top-10 recruit from the state of Georgia in the 2026 class by the 247Sports composite rankings, Geralds has established himself as one of the most promising young defensive prospects in the country. He will play his senior season at Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Georgia, where he aims to further solidify his status as an elite recruit.
One program that could have a strong advantage in Geralds’ recruitment is Ole Miss. The Rebels have a unique connection to the talented lineman, as his father, Daverin Geralds, played on both the offensive and defensive lines for the team from 2006 to 2009. This family legacy could play a significant role in his decision-making process, giving Ole Miss an inside track in landing the highly rated recruit.
However, according to Shelton, Ohio State and Miami are also firmly in the mix, alongside Ole Miss. Geralds himself acknowledged that these three programs have been among the most persistent in their recruitment efforts. “I’ve been to those three schools a lot, and their coaches have been coming at me heavy, so I’ve got to see how that goes,” Geralds told On3. His relationships with the coaching staffs, as well as his comfort level with each program’s environment and defensive system, will likely be major factors in his final choice.
With the recruiting process still in full swing, Geralds has plenty of time to evaluate his options and make a decision that best suits his future. As he continues his visits and gets a closer look at each of his top schools, Ohio State, Miami, and Ole Miss—along with the other seven contenders—will be doing everything they can to land one of the most talented defensive linemen in the 2026 class.
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