Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch - Source: Imagn

Former Seattle Seahawks Joshu Perry, and Chris Henry Jr. react to 4-star LB CJ Sanna's commitment to Ryan Day's Ohio State

Modified Apr 05, 2025 18:15 GMT

Ohio State has added another key piece to its 2026 recruiting class. Four-star linebacker CJ Sanna from Olentangy High School in Lewis Center, Ohio, officially committed to the Buckeyes. The MIKE linebacker picked Ohio State over notable Power Four offers from Michigan State, Wisconsin, Iowa, Louisville, Missouri, Indiana and Duke.

Sanna ranks as the No. 20 overall prospect in Ohio and among the top 40 linebackers nationally in the 2026 class. He brings versatility to the field. Known for his impact in both run defense and pass rushing, he tallied 97 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and seven sacks across 11 games during his junior campaign.

On Friday, Sanna shared the news of his decision on Instagram. Chris Henry Jr., a five-star wide receiver and fellow Buckeyes’ 2026 class member, congratulated him with a handshake emoji.

Former Ohio State and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Joshua Perry, who has previously offered a critical analysis of OSU’s linebacker positioning, wrote, “Olentangy representing! Congrats,” celebrating Sanna’s rise from a local standout to a Big Ten-bound athlete.

Sanna’s commitment strengthens Ohio State’s future defensive unit and marks a significant win in keeping top in-state talent at home.

Ohio State adds in-state LB CJ Sanna as 10th commit in 2026 class

Ohio State continues to build momentum on the recruiting trail, adding in-state linebacker CJ Sanna as the 10th pledge in its 2026 class. A product of Olentangy High School in Lewis Center, Ohio, Sanna stands 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds and ranks No. 387 nationally and No. 30 among linebackers per On3. He is also the No. 20 prospect in the state.

Sanna’s commitment follows several visits to Columbus, where he became a top priority for Buckeyes linebackers coach James Laurinaitis.

“As a kid growing up in the 614 area, Buckeye football has been a pretty big part of my childhood,” Sanna said in an interview with Lettermen Row last fall.

His decision makes him the third commitment of the week, joining four-star safeties Blaine Bradford from Baton Rouge and Simeon Caldwell from Jacksonville. Ranked No. 25 overall and No. 2 in his position, Bradford praised the program.

“My favorite things about Ohio State, the culture, the development, they got the best coaches in the country,” Bradford said to On3. “Columbus is a really underrated city but it’s a great city to be in.”

Ohio State’s 2026 class, currently ranked No. 3 nationally, includes five-star receiver Chris Henry Jr., OL Max Riley, OT Sam Greer, ATH Jakob Weatherspoon, WR Jaeden Ricketts, and others from across Ohio and beyond.

About the author

Aman is a journalist who has been covering college sports at Sportskeeda since 2023. Graduating with a specialization in Transportation Technology, he believes his educational background, although seemingly unrelated, helped him develop the research, analysis and critical thinking skills important for his current role.

Aman is adept at contextualizing current events within historical narratives. He is also good at technical deep dives and presenting comprehensive report strategies, coaching tactics, and player performances with precision. Through meticulous research, multiple sourcing, timeliness, transparency, and adherence to ethical standards, Aman works to ensure accuracy and relevance in articles.

Caitlin Clark's recent achievement of becoming the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer is his current favorite college sports moment. He also admires Clark and Angel Ree¬se, Caleb Williams, Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders. Iowa Hawkeyes basketball, LSU, Alabama Football, Michigan Football are his all-time favorite college teams.

Aman finds relaxation and inspiration in activities like reading, hiking, playing badminton & table tennis.

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