Ohio State added another piece to its 2027 class on the strength of a late flip, landing Cleveland St. Ignatius linebacker James Conrad after he had been committed to Buffalo since June.
Conrad, a three-star prospect, was among the recruits on campus last weekend for the Maryland game. Ohio State had been hosting multiple 2027 visitors, and by the end of it, Conrad had changed course and pledged to the Buckeyes. James Laurinaitis appears to have made the difference.
At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, Conrad brings solid size to the linebacker spot. He also brings the kind of power that shows up in his high school discus and shot-put numbers. He now slots in as the 20th commitment in Ohio State’s 2027 class and the second linebacker in the group.
The fit looks more developmental than immediate. Conrad does not project as a player who will jump the line quickly in a crowded linebacker room, and special teams may be his clearest path to early playing time. Still, for Ohio State, adding a player with room to grow is part of the larger plan, especially with several openings left in the class.
Laurinaitis’ track record as a recruiter and developer carries real weight here. If he saw enough in Conrad to bring him into the fold, that evaluation matters.
Ohio State’s 2027 class may not land in the top five, but it still looks headed for the top 10. Ryan Day is expected to use the Transfer Portal to fill other roster needs, continuing a roster-building approach that has become a bigger part of what he does.
The Buckeyes are already sitting in a strong spot with 2028, where they hold the nation’s top class. For 2027, they also have some heavy hitters lined up, including five-star receiver Jamier Brown and DJ Jacobs, the class headliner and the top-rated recruit in the country.
There could still be a couple more additions before Signing Day, but for the most part, this class is close to finished. Conrad, like several others in Ohio State’s group, wanted to stay home and play for the Buckeyes.
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