Even with Ohio State laser-focused on its upcoming College Football Playoff showdown against Miami, head coach Ryan Day is still stacking wins off the field. The Buckeyes just landed a key piece for their future defense: four-star linebacker Quinton Cypher from the Class of 2027 is officially on board.
That commitment is already making waves. With Cypher in the fold, Ohio State’s 2027 recruiting class now ranks No. 3 in the nation. And it might just be the start of a bigger defensive haul.
Cypher has a talented teammate in EDGE rusher Rashad Streets - another four-star prospect from the same 2027 class - and he’s making it clear he wants Streets to join him in Columbus. Cypher recently reposted a tweet from recruiting analyst Jeremy Birmingham about Streets, adding his own message: “You know where home is,” and tagging his teammate.
That kind of peer-to-peer recruiting is becoming more common, and when it comes from a trusted teammate, it can carry real weight. Especially when the player doing the recruiting is as highly regarded as Cypher.
Now, let’s talk about Streets. He’s not just another name on the board - he’s a serious difference-maker.
According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, he’s the No. 66 overall player in the 2027 class, the No. 8 EDGE rusher nationally, and the No. 3 player in North Carolina.
That’s the kind of profile that gets defensive coordinators excited and opposing quarterbacks nervous.
Streets recently narrowed down his top five schools, per Rivals, and it’s a mix of heavy hitters: Tennessee, Alabama, Oregon, South Carolina, and Ohio State. It’s clear he’s weighing powerhouse programs in both the SEC and Big Ten - and the Buckeyes are right in the thick of it.
If Ohio State can close the deal on Streets, it would be another major win for a program that continues to reload with elite defensive talent. Pairing him with Cypher could give the Buckeyes a future one-two punch on defense that’s built to wreak havoc in the Big Ten.
For now, the focus remains on the playoff, but make no mistake - the foundation for 2027 is already being laid. And if Cypher’s recruiting pitch hits home, Ohio State’s future on defense might be even brighter than its present.