James Conrad Commits to Ohio State Football
The St. Ignatius linebacker becomes the 20th recruit for the Buckeyes' upcoming class.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Wrestling
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Linebacker James Conrad has officially committed to the Ohio State football program. The St. Ignatius product flipped his commitment to the Buckeyes following a recent campus visit.
Why it matters
Conrad chose Ohio State largely due to the coaching and player development reputation of recruiter James Laurinaitis. His addition strengthens a recruiting class that currently sits among the top programs in the country.
Conrad is the 20th recruit to join the Buckeyes class, which is currently ranked No. 6 in the Rivals Industry rankings and No. 2 within the Big Ten.
The players
James Conrad
He is a high school linebacker from St. Ignatius High School who recently committed to the Ohio State football program.
James Laurinaitis
He served as the lead recruiter for Conrad and is noted for his focus on player development and coaching ability.
The details
After receiving an offer on Saturday and visiting campus for the Illinois game, Conrad provided his verbal commitment directly to James Laurinaitis. The linebacker was previously committed to Buffalo before pivoting to the Columbus program.
Timeline
October 10, 2026: James Conrad visited the Ohio State campus for the Illinois game.
October 13, 2026: James Conrad provided his verbal commitment to the coaching staff.
October 14, 2026: James Conrad went public with his decision to join the team.
Season Trajectory
This commitment bolsters the Buckeyes' standing in the Rivals Industry recruiting class rankings. It effectively signals a shift in the team's defensive depth as they climb toward the top of the conference hierarchy.
Conrad is now the 20th addition to the recruiting class, providing the program with added depth at the linebacker position. His arrival helps the team maintain its No. 2 ranking among Big Ten conference recruiting classes.
The takeaway
The commitment highlights the continued influence of high-level coaching staff in securing top regional talent for college programs. Fans and observers can track how these new additions integrate into the team's defensive scheme during upcoming seasons.
Further reading
For more updates on athletic developments at the university, visit Wrestling.
Source note: This article includes information reported by On3.
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