The college football recruiting world is abuzz as four-star EDGE standout Luke Wafle, a dominant force from New Jersey, finds himself at the center of a recruiting tug-of-war between two blue-chip programs: USC and Ohio State. Both schools—iconic in their football heritage and championship pedigrees—are making their strongest pitches yet, each hoping Wafle will energize their defensive line for the Class of 2026.
On one side, the Trojans are firing on all cylinders. Coach Lincoln Riley and his staff rolled out the red carpet during Wafle’s official visit this past weekend. Sources suggest USC left a powerful impression, demonstrating once and for all that they’re all-in on his recruitment youtube.com+10si.com+10si.com+10. Analysts within the 247Sports sphere, such as Tom Loy, noted: “USC is believed to be trending for the No. 1 player in New Jersey… the Trojans made a huge move. … people within the program believe that he’s going to be a Trojan.” si.com Riley’s defense-first philosophy, bolstered by a handful of highly graded recruits on the defensive side, gives USC a compelling narrative: add Wafle, the No. 6-rated edge rusher nationally and New Jersey’s top player, and you have a dominant cornerstone for a defense poised to rise .
But if Riley’s Trojan juggernaut is stirring the pot, Ohio State is stirring up a storm. Head coach Ryan Day and his staff have doubled down. On3’s Steve Wiltfong, a respected voice in the recruiting space, reports that Ohio State has matched and even escalated their NIL offer in an attempt to keep Wafle close to home—and it’s paying off youtube.com+8si.com+8landgrantholyland.com+8. Wiltfong detailed the transformation: “Ohio State upped its NIL offer to become more competitive … Wafle even informed USC that he was opting to stay closer to home. With that, I moved my expert prediction … in favor of the Buckeyes” si.com. The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine currently projects Wafle signs with Ohio State at 53.9 percent, followed by USC at 31.8 percent. Penn State and Texas trail far behind landgrantholyland.com+3si.com+3on3.com+3. Meanwhile, others—including 247Sports’ Crystal Ball—have flipped fully to Ohio State, assigning them a 100 percent chance athlonsports.com+10si.com+10si.com+10.
That’s no small feat. It reflects not just a financial strategy, but a strategic one: Ohio State is selling the whole package—elite coaching, proven defensive development, national exposure, and staying within Wafle’s East Coast comfort zone. Their appeal addresses both professional ambition and geographic familiarity.
But let’s not simplify Wafle to a NIL-dollar figure. There’s more to this story.
The South Brunswick (NJ) product earned his four-star rating thanks to dominant high school tape: at 6‑foot‑5, 245 lbs, he combines power and length with relentless motor. Over two seasons, he notched 9.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hurries, 60 tackles, and 21 tackles-for-loss in just 14 games si.com+1athlonsports.com+1si.com. On3 ranks him as a top‑10 edge rusher and No. 52 overall nationally. His technical profile? Not necessarily explosive off the snap—but exceptional in pursuit, recognition and applying pressure from the edge si.com. Analysts believe his NFL future depends less on gimmick traits, and more on consistent effort and savvy lanes—an ideal fit for defenses built on discipline and teamwork .
That makes Wafle a perfect canvas for both USC and Ohio State, but for different reasons. For USC, it’s about boosting their edge rush presence—an area they’ve lagged in this class. If Wafle arrives, alongside existing four-star linebacker Talanoa Ili and other defenders, it would solidify Riley’s ambitions to build a defensive fortress si.com.
For Ohio State, acquiring Wafle means solidifying the front for Nick Bosa-esque pressure and continuity. The Buckeyes already have class standouts like Khary Wilder waiting in the wings. Adding Wafle would fuel that pass-rush squad, adding youth, depth and future NFL hopes elevenwarriors.com.
Breaking down the present momentum: Wafle visited Columbus officially on May 30, and left feeling welcomed and needed . Shortly after, USC escalated its NIL strategy during the June visit. Ohio State countered quickly—with NIL, program pitch, and region-based persuasion . As of yesterday, analysts have swung back Oregon’s prediction to Ohio State following those adjustments .
Tuesday and Wednesday marked a dramatic shift, with predictions and insider sources trending OSU. Land‑Grant Holy Land reported a “roller‑coaster of ups and downs,” but the pendulum now has swung back toward Columbus—“Wednesday brought multiple bits of news pegging the Buckeyes” . On3’s prediction algorithm also favors Ohio State now .
However, USC isn’t surrendering. They’re still escalating offers behind the scenes, hoping to land a knockout blow. SI’s NIL beat notes that USC is “increasing its NIL offer in hopes of luring Wafle to Southern California,” highlighting a tense escalation in the financial chess match .
No other contenders pose a real threat—Penn State stands at 3.9 percent, Texas at 2.5 percent—this is now a two-team race .
Here are key factors shaping this duel:
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Defensive culture & scheme fit
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Ohio State: a longstanding reputation for crafting NFL talents from their defensive line (e.g., Nick Bosa, Chase Young) with proven coaching under Jim Knowles/Ryan Day. Wafle fits the mold of a gritty, multiple-down, pressure-heavy end.
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USC: Riley’s newly rebuilt defensive staff aims to showcase elite edge players to match Trojans’ signal-caller showmanship. Today’s college game demands disruptive edge play, and Wafle would supply that blueprint.
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