Get to know Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco four-star edge rusher Epi Sitanilei, who will sign with the Buckeyes on Wednesday.
📍All glory to God – I'm home! Go Bucks! @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/E9MCfYCkVj
— Epi K. Sitanilei (@KSitanilei) December 4, 2024
Height, Weight: 6-5, 220
247Sports Composite Ranking: Sitanilei is the nation’s 348th-best prospect, 27th-best edge rusher and 30th-best player out of California.
Commitment Date: Sitanilei — who was originally committed to UCLA — flipped to Ohio State on Dec. 4.
Other Offers: Arizona, Boston College, BYU, California, Colorado, Louisville, Michigan, Oregon State, UCLA, USC, Utah, Washington.
How He Did In High School: Sitanilei was all over the field for St. John Bosco this season, totaling 59 tackles (six tackles for loss), four pass deflections and ½ sack to help the Braves make the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section Division I championship, losing to Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei 31-24. His senior season was by far the best of his high school career, which helped him earn an invite to the 2024 Poynesian Bowl held on Jan. 19.
Where He Fits For 2024: Following the decommitment of Zahir Mathis earlier this month, Sitanilei’s last-second flip from UCLA to Ohio State was a much-needed addition for Ohio State and defensive line coach Larry Johnson this cycle, as the Buckeyes have just one other defensive end commits for 2025 in Enterprise, Ala. four-star Zion Grady (6-4, 235). Because of this thin class, as well as the departures of longtime starting edge rushers Jack Sawyer and JT Tuiomoloau, there is an opportunity for Sitanilei to make a name for himself this season, but he likely won’t get much playing time as the Buckeyes are still loaded at defensive end with guys such as Caden Curry, Eddrick Houston, Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and Joshua Mickens all likely coming back.
Photo Courtesy Of Mick Walker/Letterman Row
