Ohio State is off to a blistering start with its 2027 recruiting class, and Ryan Day’s staff isn’t just stacking commitments-they’re landing elite talent early and often. With nine verbal pledges already in the fold, this group has the makings of another powerhouse class in Columbus. But as every seasoned college football fan knows, recruiting battles don’t end with a commitment-they often just enter a new phase.
At the center of this early surge are two five-star headliners: wide receiver Jamier Brown and edge rusher David Jacobs. Both are nationally ranked, both are game-changers, and both are already drawing serious attention from rival programs hoping to flip them before the Early Signing Period rolls around next December.
One of those programs? Miami. And Mario Cristobal isn’t exactly being subtle about it.
Cristobal has already been linked to a push for Brown, but now there’s growing buzz around his pursuit of Jacobs as well. According to recent recruiting intel from the Lemming Report Showcase in Atlanta, the Hurricanes are very much in the mix for the five-star EDGE, and they’re not backing off any time soon.
And why would they? Jacobs is a special kind of prospect-the type of edge rusher who can tilt the field from the moment he steps on campus.
At 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, he’s long, explosive, and disruptive off the edge. According to the 247Sports Composite, he’s not just a five-star-he’s the No.
1 EDGE in the country and the No. 8 overall player in the 2027 class. That’s the kind of profile that gets coaches like Cristobal circling back, even after a commitment is made.
Jacobs committed to Ohio State in late December, choosing the Buckeyes over more than 30 other offers. It was a massive win for Day and his staff, a statement that Ohio State still has serious pull with top-tier defensive talent.
Since then, Jacobs hasn’t shown any public signs of second-guessing his decision. But with nine months to go before he can officially sign, the recruitment is far from over.
That’s the reality of modern recruiting. Verbal commitments are important, but they don’t come with locks and keys.
Programs like Miami will continue to apply pressure, especially for a player of Jacobs’ caliber. And it’s not just about flipping talent-it’s about building momentum, sending a message, and trying to shift the balance of power.
For Ohio State fans, the idea of both Brown and Jacobs being courted by other top programs is understandably unsettling. These are cornerstone-type players-Brown with his big-play potential on offense, and Jacobs with his pass-rushing ceiling on defense. The hope in Columbus is that Ryan Day and his staff can not only hold onto these two but build around them as foundational pieces of another elite class.
As it stands, Ohio State’s 2027 class is shaping up to be one of the strongest in the country. But there’s a long road between now and signing day. And with names like Jacobs and Brown in the spotlight, don’t expect the recruiting drama to cool down anytime soon.