In a massive recruiting win that is sending ripples through the college football world, four-star defensive lineman Elijah “EJ” Moseley out of Gardena, California, has officially committed to Ohio State, choosing the Buckeyes over heavy hitters Notre Dame, Washington, and UCLA. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound powerhouse from Junípero Serra High School made his announcement via social media with a simple message: “Built for greatness. Built for Columbus. #GoBucks ⚪️.”
For Buckeye Nation, this commitment is nothing short of a statement. Head coach Ryan Day and defensive line coach Larry Johnson continue to flex their recruiting muscles by securing elite talent, especially from the West Coast — traditionally a hotbed for Pac-12 and West Coast powers. Landing Moseley is not only a testament to Ohio State’s continued national recruiting reach but also a significant addition to a 2025 class that is shaping up to be among the best in the country.
Who Is Elijah Moseley?
Elijah Moseley is not just another name on a recruiting board.
Ranked as the No. 8 defensive lineman in the nation and the No. 52 overall player in the 2025 ESPN300, Moseley is a disruptive force in the trenches with a combination of explosiveness, strength, and technical refinement that has drawn comparisons to former Buckeye and current NFL standout Chase Young.
While not quite as long or lean as Young, Moseley plays with a similar motor. Scouts rave about his ability to split double teams, collapse pockets, and pursue ball carriers with sideline-to-sideline quickness — rare for a player of his size. At Serra High, he tallied 82 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks in his junior season, earning All-CIF honors and a spot in the Under Armour All-America Game.
But it’s not just his on-field dominance that stands out.
“Elijah is a leader, plain and simple,” said Serra head coach Scott Altenberg. “He sets the tone in the weight room, the classroom, and on game day. He’s the kind of player that transforms a defense.”
West Coast Steal for the Midwest Giant
For decades, elite California defensive linemen often stayed home, with schools like USC, UCLA, and more recently Washington and Oregon gobbling up top-tier talent. However, Ohio State has increasingly turned California into fertile ground — pulling prospects such as CJ Stroud (Rancho Cucamonga) and Clark Phillips III (La Habra) in recent years.
Now, with Moseley, they’ve struck gold again.
The recruitment was a tight race down the stretch. Notre Dame was considered the early favorite, thanks to strong ties with Moseley’s family and his interest in academics. Washington, under Kalen DeBoer, pushed hard as well, offering a vision of early playing time in a reloaded defense. And UCLA, with its local appeal and revamped coaching staff under DeShaun Foster, made a late surge.
But it was Ohio State that remained the most consistent.
In late June, after Moseley’s official visit to Columbus, insiders began to hint at a seismic shift in momentum.
“He came back from that visit glowing,” a source close to the Moseley family revealed. “He felt the brotherhood. He loved the structure, the facilities, and said Coach Day and Coach Johnson felt like ‘family who expected greatness.’ That stuck with him.”
What Moseley Brings to Ohio State
Let’s be clear: this is a major addition for the Buckeyes.
Ohio State has long prided itself on producing elite defensive line talent — Nick Bosa, Joey Bosa, Chase Young, Sam Hubbard, and most recently JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer. With Moseley’s commitment, that legacy looks primed to continue.
Here’s what the Buckeyes are getting:
- Elite Get-Off: Moseley’s first step is lightning quick, often allowing him to beat slower guards or tackles off the snap.
- Power and Hands: At nearly 280 pounds, he delivers a punishing bull rush while showing advanced hand technique for a high school player.
- Versatility: He can line up as a 3-technique defensive tackle or slide outside as a strongside end, depending on the defensive front.
- Football IQ: His tape shows him recognizing screens, disrupting read-option plays, and diagnosing blocking schemes.
It’s not hard to envision Moseley cracking the rotation as early as his freshman year, especially with the Buckeyes losing some key veterans after the 2025 season.
The Larry Johnson Factor
Any conversation about defensive line recruiting at Ohio State must mention Larry Johnson, the legendary position coach whose name alone carries weight in recruiting circles. Johnson’s track record of developing NFL talent is unrivaled, and he’s built a reputation as a father figure for many of his players.
“Elijah saw in Coach Johnson a mentor,” said 247Sports recruiting analyst Allen Trieu. “There’s a level of trust there, and when you’re sending your son across the country, that matters.”
Johnson was instrumental in sealing the deal, making multiple in-home visits, building relationships with Moseley’s family, and showcasing how his development philosophy aligned with Elijah’s NFL aspirations.
Recruiting Class Impact
With Moseley now in the fold, Ohio State’s 2025 class strengthens its claim as one of the top classes in the country.
The Buckeyes now boast:
- 2 five-star prospects
- 9 four-star recruits, including 4 top-100 players
- Top-3 ranking nationally, per 247Sports Composite
Moseley is the third defensive lineman in the class, joining Zachary Benson (OH) and Tyler Hall (FL). Together, the trio could form the nucleus of Ohio State’s future defensive front — fast, aggressive, and technically sound.
There’s also a recruiting domino effect at play. Other top California prospects, such as five-star LB Jamari Warren and four-star edge rusher Kaden Lee, have been closely monitoring Moseley’s decision. His commitment could signal a West Coast pipeline developing once again in favor of Columbus.
️ Big Ten Implications
Moseley’s addition doesn’t just impact Ohio State — it alters the Big Ten balance of power.
With USC and UCLA officially joining the Big Ten in 2024, recruiting in California has taken on even greater strategic significance. Programs like Michigan, Penn State, and Wisconsin are all vying to make inroads into Pacific talent pools.
Ohio State just flexed first.
“Getting a top California lineman out of the backyard of UCLA and Washington, and away from Notre Dame’s academic pull? That’s a big-boy win,” said Rivals recruiting editor Adam Gorney. “This isn’t just about adding talent — it’s about winning battles that reshape the national recruiting map.”
Building Toward a National Title
After back-to-back years of near-misses in the College Football Playoff and a 2024 campaign that ended in heartbreak against Texas, the Buckeyes have reloaded with one goal: win it all.
Moseley’s commitment doesn’t guarantee a championship, but it pushes the Buckeyes closer to that goal.
Pair his arrival with the continued development of five-star QB Julian Sayin, a deep wide receiver corps, and a front seven loaded with speed, and you get a team that should once again challenge for the national crown.
️ Final Word from the Man Himself
In a brief interview after his announcement, Elijah Moseley shared his reasoning:
“Ohio State felt like home. The energy, the legacy, the opportunity to be developed by the best — it all added up. I want to be a part of something special, and I believe we’re building something historic in Columbus.”
✅ Final Thoughts
Ohio State just landed a defensive lineman with the ceiling of a first-round NFL Draft pick, and they did it by winning a national battle over some of the sport’s most historic brands. Elijah Moseley’s commitment is about more than just one player — it’s a sign that the Buckeyes are once again asserting their dominance on the recruiting trail and laying the foundation for sustained success in the new era of college football.
On a day when America celebrates independence, Buckeye fans are celebrating something else entirely — a monster win in the recruiting wars.
Welcome to Columbus, Elijah Moseley. Buckeye Nation just got stronger.
