Ohio State Football and Basketball News and Update for June 17, 2026

OSU News and Updates June 2026 Ohio State basketball secured a massive roster upgrade with five-star guard L.J. Smith reclassifying into the 2026 class, while football official visit season has triggered a wave of new commitments and high-stakes transfer portal decisions. [1, 2, 3, 4] 🏀 Basketball: Jake Diebler's Offseason Roster Boom Five-Star Reclassification: Elite guard L.J. Smith officially reclassified from 2027 to 2026. He will join the team immediately for the upcoming season. [1, 2] Two Five-Stars: Smith joins fellow five-star freshman forward Anthony Thompson. This gives the Buckeyes two five-star recruits in a single class for the first time since 2008. [1, 2] Roster Turnover: Coach Jake Diebler's rebuilt backcourt features returning sophomore star John Mobley Jr. alongside key transfers Curtis Givens III (Memphis) and Justin Pippen (Cal). [1] Schedule Update: Ohio State added a marquee home-and-home series against Vanderbilt for the next two seasons. [1] 🏈 Football: Recruiting Flurry & 2026 Championship Expectations Malone Commits: Four-star cornerback Deontay Malone committed to Ohio State following his official visit, giving the Buckeyes their first defensive back for the 2027 cycle. [1] Five-Star DL Trend: Elite defensive lineman Marcus Fakatou is trending heavily toward Ohio State over Georgia and Texas, with a decision expected soon. [1] Recruiting Battles: The Buckeyes are trying to secure defensive tackle depth, making a final push for Kasi Currie ahead of his scheduled June 19 visit while holding off Texas. [1] Title Favorites: Vegas sportsbooks currently list Ohio State with the best betting odds (+600) to win the national championship. [1] Offensive Line Battles: Fall camp speculation is centering on Ian Moore, who has a strong chance to secure the starting left tackle job. This move would allow senior Austin Siereveld to slide back into his natural guard position. [1] 15:13 Ohio State Football Recruiting News Just Got VERY INTERESTING… YouTube·Ohio State Football Report by Chat Sports