4-star DL Emanuel Ruffin commits to Ohio State

Bessemer City (Ala.) four-star defensive lineman Emanuel Ruffin has committed to Ohio State, he told Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett.

He chose the Buckeyes after decommitting from Colorado on Nov. 4. Mizzou was also in the mix for his pledge this fall.

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Ruffin is the No. 202 overall prospect and No. 21 DL in the 2026 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 12 player in Alabama.

The 6-foot-3.5, 290-pounder had just committed to Deion Sanders and Colorado at the end of September. He then visited Mizzou this fall and eyed a return trip to Columbus to see Ohio State. Ruffin then decommitted and the Buckeyes pounced.

He gives head coach Ryan Day and the OSU staff another major recruiting win with National Signing Day less than a month away. On Thursday, the Buckeyes flipped Pittsburgh Pine-Richland four-star cornerback Jay Timmons, Rivals’ No. 2 CB, away from Florida State.

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“I want to be developed,” Ruffin told Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett earlier this month. “I know I can get developed at both schools (Ohio State and Missouri), but the relationship with the coaches is a big thing for me. When I say that, I mean when you get on the campus it’s bigger than just ball. That’s what really needs to stand out for me to go to the school.”

With Ruffin in the fold, Ohio State jumps over Texas to the No. 7 spot in the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.