Skip to main content
Ohio State
Join Now

Signed: Four-star DT Emanuel Ruffin completes long journey to becoming a Buckeye

2iQTwToy.jpg-mediumby: Mick Walker12/03/25mickdwalker

The Early-Signing Period is here and Ohio State is set to once again bring in one of the country’s best recruiting classes. Lettermen Row is tracking the Buckeyes recruiting news throughout the signing period as 2026 commitments officially join the Ohio State football program. The latest Letter of Intent is in: Emanuel Ruffin has signed with the Buckeyes.

COLUMBUS — Ohio State needed more big-bodied defensive linemen in the 2026 class and they added one late in the cycle. Four-star defensive lineman Emanuel Ruffin has signed his Letter of Intent to Ohio State and is officially a Buckeye.

What does it mean for the Buckeyes? Let’s check it out.

Who is Emanuel Ruffin?

Emanuel Ruffin is a four-star defensive lineman Bessemer, Alabama. He attended Bessemer City High School. Ohio State, LSU and Tennessee all hosted Ruffin for official visits in June. He was set to announce a commitment on July 3 but decided to take his recruitment into the season. Ruffiin then took an in-season official visit to Colorado and committed to the Buffaloes shortly after. The Buckeyes never let up, however, and were ultimately able to flip him in November.

Rivals Industry Rankings: No. 218 overall, No. 27 defensive lineman, No. 11 in Alabama

Rivals Ranking: No. 31 defensive lineman and No. 12 in Alabama

Height: 6-foot-3.5

Weight: 290 pounds

Hometown: Bessemer, Alabama

High School: Bessemer City

Scouting Report: “The first thing we notice about Emanuel Ruffin is the size. He’s a big kid at 6-foot-3 and almost 300 pounds and he is a well put together kid. There’s room to grow though and a college weight program is going to be huge for his development. And that’s something that led to the choice of Ohio State if his recent comments are to be believed. Speaking to Hayes Fawcett of Rivals, Ruffin said development was at the top of his wishlist as he reopened things. That’s why the Buckeyes and the Missouri Tigers were his last two choices.”