Three-star defensive lineman Jamir Perez committed to the Florida Gators on May 18, two days after he arrived in Gainesville for his official visit and about a month prior to his trip to Columbus. Now, with the 6-foot-4, 360-pound Cleveland, Ohio native hinting at a big announcement coming later this week, it appears that his home-state team left quite the impression in June.
On Tuesday, Perez took to X to tease a big announcement coming Friday, and with experts still expecting him to end up with the Buckeyes, the announcement could be good news for Ohio State.
Big announcement Friday! @SWiltfong_ @AllenTrieu
— Jamir “JJ” Perez 3⭐️ (@DabigRootJJ) July 2, 2025
Ohio State building momentum to flip 3-star DL Jamir “JJ” Perez
There was plenty of turnover in Columbus after the Buckeyes won the national title, but the roster churn and coaching staff changes haven’t affected Ryan Day on the recruiting trail. Ohio State’s 19-player class ranks No. 5 in the nation, headlined by five-stars, Chris Henry Jr. at wide receiver and Blaine Bradford at safety.
However, an elite recruiting class isn’t constructed entirely out of blue-chippers, especially as the revenue-sharing era begins and at least theoretically introduces some level of competitive balance to a traditional lopsided college football landscape. The Buckeyes, especially in recent days with the additions of three-star offensive tackle Aaron Thomas and three-star defensive lineman Cameron Brickle, have looked to add depth to the 2026 recruiting class, and flipping Perez from Florida on Friday would add to it.
The Buckeyes' defensive philosophy could be shifting with the change from Jim Knowles to Matt Patricia after the former left for Penn State this offseason. Still, with Larry Johnson entrenched as the program’s defensive line coach, the type of player the Ohio State targets up front should remain consistent.
Perez has the build of a true nose tackle, which was not featured much in Knowles' previous units. Ohio State is known for its four-down fronts, and last season, Ty Hamilton led the team in snaps lined up over the center with just 39. On tape, Perez pops as an interior disruptor with impressive quickness for his size, so he could be comfortable transitioning into Ohio State’s scheme.
If the Buckeyes can flip Perez, he will be the third interior defensive lineman in the 2026 class, a position group that could use an influx of talent after the program lost both Tyleik Williams and Hamilton to the NFL this offseason.