Ohio State’s 2027 defensive line haul may be about to get even louder.
Larry Johnson already has the Buckeyes sitting on commitments from two five-star prospects in DJ Jacobs and Marcus Fakatou, and now another blue-chip target is trending their way. Karlos May, a four-star defensive line recruit, has picked up a third crystal ball prediction to Ohio State, a sign that the Buckeyes appear to be in strong position to land him.
May, who measures 6'2.5 and 330 pounds, looks like the kind of interior force Ohio State would love to add to its defensive front. The biggest competition listed here is Auburn, but the Buckeyes seem to have built the kind of momentum that makes Columbus look like the clear favorite. May is from Alabama, and his commitment decision is expected on July 18.
If Ohio State does close the deal, it would only strengthen what is already shaping up to be a loaded 2027 class. The Buckeyes are still chasing more elite talent, too, with Ryan Day and his staff eyeing a couple of five-star recruits and some potential flip targets. They are unlikely to land a key quarterback flip, but there are still other prospects from committed programs in play.
Even with those pieces still to sort out, adding May would push Ohio State closer to the kind of class it expects to sign. A top-five finish is the standard here, and anything less would feel like a letdown. The Buckeyes also still want to add more cornerbacks, but after a slow start, this class has picked up real steam.
Day has shown patience on the trail, and that approach has started to pay off. The Buckeyes have turned the 2027 class around, and more commitments could still come this month.
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Jackson was fifth in the Big Ten in rushing yards a year ago, and the path to the top of the conference looks clearer now with several of the leagues biggest producers gone to the NFL. If Ohio State leans into Smiths style the way it expects to, Jacksons workload should rise along with the stakes, giving the Buckeyes a chance to turn a promising back into one of the leagues defining runners. [Read more 🡒]