Ohio State Lands 2027 Five-Star Edge Rusher DJ Jacobs in Major Recruiting Win
While the Buckeyes prepare for the College Football Playoff spotlight, they just scored a major victory off the field-and it could have long-term implications for their future defense. On Monday night, Ohio State secured a commitment from David “DJ” Jacobs, a five-star edge rusher out of Blessed Trinity Catholic in Roswell, Georgia.
Jacobs isn’t just another blue-chip prospect-he’s the No. 10 overall player and the top-ranked edge rusher in the 2027 class, per the 247Sports composite rankings. At 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, Jacobs brings a rare combination of length, athleticism, and explosiveness off the edge. For a program that prides itself on developing elite pass rushers, this is the kind of addition that can anchor a defensive class.
And make no mistake-this was a hard-fought recruiting battle. Ohio State edged out some of the biggest names in college football, including Georgia, Miami, Oregon, and Florida State, to land Jacobs.
Winning a head-to-head against Georgia for a top defensive prospect from the Peach State? That’s no small feat.
It speaks volumes about the Buckeyes’ national reach and their ability to pitch a compelling vision to elite talent, even deep in SEC territory.
Jacobs becomes the ninth commitment in Ohio State’s 2027 class and the first edge rusher to join the fold. He also slots in as the second-highest ranked recruit in the class behind five-star wide receiver Jamier Brown-another big-time playmaker who’s already pledged to the Buckeyes.
Now, let’s be clear: this is recruiting in the modern era. A verbal commitment doesn’t necessarily mean the race is over.
Other programs will likely keep pushing, especially with Jacobs being such a high-profile prospect. But for now, Ohio State has secured a cornerstone player at a premium position-and that’s a major win.
As the Buckeyes chase a national title this week, they’ve already planted a flag for the future. DJ Jacobs is the kind of recruit who doesn't just fill a roster spot-he has the potential to shape a defense. And if he lives up to the billing, we might be talking about this commitment as a turning point in the 2027 class.