Ohio State’s 2027 Class Is Rolling-But the Battle for 5-Star David Jacobs Isn’t Over Yet
Ohio State is off to a blazing start with its 2027 recruiting class, and Ryan Day has wasted no time stacking talent for the future. With nine verbal commitments already in the fold, the Buckeyes are building early momentum that’s hard to ignore-and even harder to stop.
Leading the charge are two elite 5-star prospects: wide receiver Jamier Brown and edge rusher David Jacobs. These are the kinds of cornerstone players who don’t just fill out a depth chart-they reshape it.
But as every college football fan knows, verbal commitments are just the beginning of the story, not the end. With the Early Signing Period still more than nine months away, the recruiting battles for these top-tier talents are far from over.
One of the biggest threats to Ohio State’s stronghold? Miami.
Head coach Mario Cristobal isn’t backing down when it comes to pursuing the Buckeyes’ prized commits. He’s already made a strong push for Brown, and now there’s growing buzz around his pursuit of Jacobs as well. According to recruiting intel from a recent showcase in Atlanta, the Hurricanes are actively working to flip Jacobs-and they’re not alone in that effort.
Jacobs, a 6-foot-5, 225-pound pass-rushing force, is the kind of player who can change the trajectory of a defense. Ranked as the No.
1 EDGE in the country and the No. 8 overall player in the 2027 class (per 247Sports Composite), he’s the type of recruit that programs build entire defensive schemes around. It’s no wonder Cristobal and company are staying aggressive.
For Ohio State, hanging on to Jacobs is a top priority-and understandably so. He committed to the Buckeyes in late December, choosing them over more than 30 other offers, which speaks volumes about the work Day and his staff put in to land him.
So far, Jacobs hasn’t shown any signs of backing away from that decision. But in the world of high-stakes recruiting, silence doesn’t always mean security.
The Buckeyes have built a reputation for developing elite defensive talent, especially along the front seven, and Jacobs fits that mold perfectly. His frame, motor, and explosiveness off the edge make him an ideal fit for the Big Ten’s physical brand of football. If he sticks with Ohio State, he’s got all the tools to become a dominant force in the conference for years to come.
But until that National Letter of Intent is signed, sealed, and delivered, expect the pressure to keep mounting. Miami is clearly not backing off, and other schools could enter the mix as well. That’s the reality of recruiting at the highest level-especially when you’re dealing with players of Jacobs’ caliber.
Ohio State’s 2027 class has the makings of something special. But as the months unfold, Ryan Day and his staff will need to keep their foot on the gas-because when you’re at the top of the recruiting food chain, everyone’s coming for your crown.