2027 college football recruiting class rankings: Top 50 schools
7. Ohio State Buckeyes
Previous ranking: 7
SC Next 300 commits: 11
Top offensive prospect: WR Jamier Brown
Top defensive prospect: DE D.J. Jacobs
The talent Ohio State has amassed -- and lost -- can be illustrated by the NFL draft, but the Buckeyes continue to work to add more impact prospects -- including explosive perimeter players and long, athletic defenders -- while also quietly stockpiling developmental tackles up front.
A key in-state add on offense is burner Jamier Brown, the next big name in the Buckeyes' receiver pipeline. A dynamic wideout and return man, he owns elite track marks (10.3 in the 100, 20.7 in the 200) and shows outstanding quickness, acceleration, burst and change of direction to go with his top-end speed. At quarterback, as with Julian Sayin, they have mined the state of California again, this time with Brady Edmunds, who brings a 6-6, 220-pound frame with classic pocket-passer traits, giving Ohio State another big, vertical-minded signal-caller. They're also investing heavily along the O-line with Kellen Wymer and Mason Wilt from in-state, Brody McNeel out of Virginia and Jimmy Kalis, out of Pittsburgh. Kalis was a standout performer at the Under Armour Next camp in Columbus this spring. Five-star Caden Moss is a big man with elite arm length and excellent lower body flexibility and feet; he can be a people mover.
Defensively, five-star D.J. Jacobs fits the Buckeyes' recent mold of long, explosive edge defenders such as former standout Chase Young. At 6-5, Jacobs has a good first step, range and bend, plays with pad level and can be explosive as a finisher. Coaches rave about his motor, humility and desire to refine his craft, giving him impact potential. Fellow five-star Marcus Fakatou could be in the mold of another former Ohio State standout DL, JT Tuimoloau, but with a bigger frame. On the back end, Eli Johnson and Angelo Smith add different safety body types -- Johnson as a long, 6-3 enforcer with range, and Smith, the younger brother of standout WR Jeremiah Smith, as a smaller, quick DB. Quinton Cypher (6-2, 220) projects as a physical inside linebacker who can anchor the middle of the defense.
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