While Epi Sitanilei was the last addition to Ohio State's 2025 class, it didn't take away from how important it was for the Buckeyes to get him that late in the cycle. The four-star St. John Bosco (California) defensive end became a must-get and integral part of the class following a series of events in late November 2024.
How He Became a Buckeye
Sitanilei was a target for Larry Johnson long before November. But Ohio State already had three defensive ends committed in the class: Zion Grady, Zahir Mathis and London Merritt. When Mathis and Merritt decommitted from OSU eight days apart, Sitanilei instantly became the Buckeyes' top target at the position.