The Buckeyes have done it again — and this time, they’ve plucked a rising star straight from the heart of Pac-12 country.
In a bold and resounding move that’s turning heads across college football, four-star defensive end Khary Wilder — one of the most highly sought-after edge rushers in the 2026 class — has shut down his recruitment and pledged his future to Ohio State.
And just like that, the Big Ten got a little scarier.
The Gardena (Calif.) Serra standout made his announcement Tuesday, capping off a whirlwind recruitment that featured heavy hitters like Notre Dame, Washington, and UCLA pushing hard for his signature. But after a transformative visit to Columbus and a one-on-one with the Buckeyes’ coaching legends, Wilder pulled the trigger — and now he’s all in.
“It was seeing how much of a priority I am for them,” Wilder said. “Coach Larry Johnson, Coach Ryan Day, Coach Matt Patricia — they made me feel like I wasn’t just another name on the board. I was the guy they wanted. I was home.”
Behind the Decision: The OSU Visit That Changed Everything
The weekend Wilder spent at Ohio State wasn’t just another campus tour — it was a strategic masterclass from one of the best recruiting staffs in the nation. During face-to-face sit-downs with defensive line guru Larry Johnson, NFL veteran and Buckeye assistant Matt Patricia, and head coach Ryan Day, Wilder got a clear, uncompromising blueprint: how to go from high school star to NFL-ready beast.
Johnson, whose résumé includes a laundry list of NFL-caliber defensive ends (see: Nick Bosa, Chase Young, Sam Hubbard), didn’t just preach development — he delivered action. He walked Wilder through film, broke down technique, and even offered custom drills he could start doing immediately to polish his already impressive game.
“Coach Johnson was literally giving me tips and technical drills right there,” Wilder said. “Small things to fix — details that could take me to the next level. That’s rare. That’s real development.”
The NFL Dream: And Why OSU is the Launch Pad
Wilder isn’t shy about it: the NFL is the goal, and he’s not wasting time pretending otherwise. He’s one of those rare recruits who isn’t just thinking about Saturdays — he’s already visualizing Sundays.
And that’s why Ohio State was impossible to resist.
“Seeing their history with D-linemen going to the league — it’s crazy,” Wilder said. “They’re not just producing players, they’re producing first-round monsters. That’s what I want. That’s the standard I want to live up to.”
The Competition: Big Names Left in the Dust
It wasn’t easy. Notre Dame came at him hard. Washington made a compelling pitch. UCLA, practically in his backyard, offered a strong local pull. All three invested serious time, built relationships with Wilder’s family and coaches, and painted visions of success.
But in the end, Columbus stood taller.
“They all made it hard. They’re great programs, and they treated me like a priority. But Ohio State just had something different,” he admitted. “They showed me not just how I fit, but how they’re going to elevate me — starting now.”
What Does This Mean for Ohio State?
Let’s not downplay it: this is a monster recruiting win for the Buckeyes — not just because they landed an elite edge rusher, but because they stole him from the clutches of national competitors. And let’s be clear, pulling a top-tier prospect out of California — a region traditionally dominated by West Coast and SEC interests — is a power flex of the highest order.
Wilder is expected to be a cornerstone for the Buckeyes’ future defensive front, a freak athlete with a motor that never quits and the intelligence to process complex schemes. His upside? NFL first-rounder. Maybe more.
What’s Next?
Wilder plans to shut down his recruitment completely. No more visits. No second-guessing. For him, the decision is made.
And for Ohio State fans? The future just got a lot brighter — and perhaps a bit nastier on the defensive line.
HEADLINE OPTIONS:
- “Buckeye Bombshell: Elite DE Khary Wilder Commits to Ohio State, Shuts Down All Visits”
- “From Cali to Columbus: Khary Wilder Snubs West Coast Powers, Joins OSU’s D-Line Dynasty”
- “NFL Dreams Start Here: Four-Star Khary Wilder Chooses Ohio State Over National Contenders”
- “Coach Johnson Strikes Again: OSU Lands 4-Star DE Khary Wilder in Recruiting Heist”
- “Edge Dominator Secured: Khary Wilder Commits to Buckeyes After Mind-Blowing Visit”
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