Johnson visited May’s home on Thursday, and the 6-4, roughly 305-pound lineman said the in-home session resonated. “It was awesome,” May told Lettermen Row, adding that Johnson framed May as “the guy for the defensive tackle room” and highlighted his “one-percent factor.” May has already visited Columbus for the Penn State game and plans to return in the spring, with an official top-five list expected soon that should include Ohio State.
May is ranked No. 90 overall and No. 10 at his position in the 2027 class by Rivals. His recruitment has surged after a strong fall with major offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida State, Missouri, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Texas, and Vanderbilt. While proximity to home is a factor—Alabama is about 45 minutes away—the Birmingham native insists location won’t be the sole consideration as he navigates his official visits.
The in-state pull is real, especially with Alabama offering last fall and Kalen DeBoer’s Washington program remaining a credible challenger. May told Touchdown Alabama that Alabama’s offer mattered, given his roots near Tuscaloosa, and he emphasized that he wants to keep all options on the table as he visits programs this spring.
Ohio State’s pitch centers on Johnson’s storied development track record. Johnson has produced 14 first-team All-Americans between Ohio State and Penn State, 10 first-round NFL Draft picks, and 20 Buckeyes who reached the NFL in 12 seasons. After the 2024 season, four starting defensive linemen from Ohio State—Jack Sawyer, JT Tuimoloau, Ty Hamilton, and Tyleik Williams—were drafted, underscoring Johnson’s ability to prepare linemen for the next level.
May’s own production stands out: a 2025 stat line of 72 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, five pass breakups, four forced fumbles, and two interceptions. As he weighs whether to stay home or venture away, May plans to complete official visits before making a decision, with Ohio State positioned as a serious contender to join the Alabama transfer pipeline and bolster the Buckeyes’ interior defensive line.
