Ohio State goes looking for elite defensive linemen in California

Ohio State is hunting for defensive linemen in California for the 2027 recruiting cycle.

Over the last few days, Buckeyes defensive line coach Larry Johnson has been busy working the phones and calling some of the state’s most-elite players along the defensive line to hand out offers.

Chatsworth (Calif.) Sierra Canyon’s Kasi Currie, Inglewood’s Elija Harmon and Myels Smith and George Toia, who transferred to Torrance (Calif.) Bishop Montgomery this offseason only to have his junior year canceled, have all landed new Ohio State offers.

All four are paying attention – and looking to book visits to Columbus.

“I talked to Larry Johnson the other day,” said Currie, who has had Alabama, Tennessee, Texas and other SEC schools high on his list. “He called me right after practice. I kind of knew I was going to get it because they’ve been talking about it for a minute. I was supposed to go to their camp to get the offer but I didn’t go.

“Ohio State, that’s crazy. I like the SEC but Ohio State, that’s going to be great for me if they show love. It’s Larry Johnson. He’s the GOAT at what he does. He’s like the LeBron James of football. It’s really just about Larry Johnson and Ohio State is a really good school.”

Ohio State had been talking a lot with Harmon so getting a new offer from the national champs was not a total shock and one he will heavily consider.

The Inglewood standout loved his weekend trip to Oklahoma – his first SEC experience – and then he lives close enough to USC’s campus that he can walk there with Oregon rounding out an early list of favorites. With the offer now, Harmon is planning a trip to Ohio State later in the season.

“The draft picks, what they’ve produced in the past years has definitely opened my eyes a lot and the program they’ve built,” Harmon said.

“I talked to coach Larry Johnson and he offered me. It’s definitely big. It’s definitely letting me know I’m putting in the right amount of work.”

Toia is dealing with some off-field issues trying to file an appeal so he can play in his junior season somewhere in California or another state if needed after Bishop Montgomery’s season was canceled.

That has postponed any visits for the time being while that issue gets settled but a new offer from Ohio State definitely caught his attention.

Toia has a great relationship with defensive line assistant coach Tony Washington, Jr. from his time at UCLA and so that connection along with Johnson’s impeccable resume has Toia thinking a lot more about the Buckeyes.

Oklahoma, Miami, Oregon, UCLA, USC and others will be involved as well.

“Coach Johnson and coach (Washington) have been talking for a minute,” Toia said. “We have been talking back and forth because coach (Washington) was the man who offered me when he was at UCLA.

“I was talking to coach Johnson and he was talking to me about how my recruitment was going at my situation at Bishop Montgomery. He was talking to me about that and he was asking if I was still getting right, getting ready because I’m still trying to get on the field.

“It was a really big offer for me. I know coach Johnson produces a lot of d-linemen. Just him being the coach at Ohio State is a big thing so it was a big thing for me. I was very happy and very joyful. I’m trying to get out there soon for a game and check out the atmosphere.”

Currie said: “I’m going to go see a game. I’m not sure when but I’m going to see a game.”