Even with their eyes locked on another potential National Championship run, Ohio State isn’t taking its foot off the gas when it comes to building for the future. The Buckeyes are already sitting at No. 4 in the 2027 recruiting class rankings, according to 247Sports, and they’ve got a chance to climb even higher if they can land one of the most intriguing defensive prospects in the country: four-star linebacker Quinton Cypher.
Cypher, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound force out of Raleigh, North Carolina, has trimmed his list to four schools-Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama, and Miami-and he’s expected to make a decision later this week. While all four programs bring serious pedigree to the table, this recruitment is shaping up to be a heavyweight bout between Ohio State and Georgia.
Let’s be real: Miami and Alabama have strong recruiting chops and deep NIL pockets, but when it comes to Cypher’s fit on the field-particularly on the defensive side-this feels like a two-horse race. Georgia and Ohio State are both known for producing elite defenses and churning out NFL-ready linebackers, and Cypher is the kind of player who could thrive in either system.
According to the 247Sports Composite, Cypher ranks as the No. 192 overall player in the 2027 class, the No. 11 linebacker nationally, and the No. 8 prospect in the state of North Carolina. He’s got the size, range, and instincts you want in a modern linebacker-able to fly sideline to sideline, hold up in coverage, and bring pop in the run game. And that’s exactly the kind of player that fits the mold of what Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia looks for.
Patricia’s impact on the Buckeyes’ defense in 2025 was undeniable. Ohio State finished the season ranked No. 1 in nearly every major defensive category, thanks in large part to his NFL-caliber schemes and ability to develop talent. That’s a major selling point for a prospect like Cypher, who’s not just looking for a place to play on Saturdays-he’s looking for a launching pad to Sundays.
And the Buckeyes can offer that. Ryan Day has built a program that consistently competes at the highest level, and Patricia has added a defensive identity that’s as tough and disciplined as any in the country. If Cypher wants to be part of a unit that’s already proven it can dominate against elite competition, Ohio State makes a compelling case.
Of course, Kirby Smart and Georgia aren’t going to make this easy. Georgia’s track record with linebackers speaks for itself, and the Bulldogs are just as capable of developing NFL-ready talent. But if the Buckeyes can close the deal-and all signs point to Patricia being in the thick of that effort-they’d be adding another blue-chip piece to a defense that’s already built like a fortress.
Cypher hasn’t locked in a commitment date just yet, but he’s expected to make his decision sometime this week. When he does, it could have ripple effects not just on the 2027 recruiting rankings, but on the future of two defensive juggernauts battling for supremacy on and off the field.
For now, it’s a waiting game. But if you’re Ohio State, you have to like where you stand.