Ohio State’s 2027 class finally has a running back, and it comes in the form of a four-star playmaker with plenty of production on his résumé.
Daylon Gordon, a 5-foot-10, 195-pound back from Wylie, Texas, announced Wednesday that he is committed to the Buckeyes. Gordon had been pledged to Texas State since June, but Ohio State kept pressing after his official visit to Columbus for the Buckeyes’ game against Oregon on Saturday.
Gordon enters the class as the No. 22 running back and No. 347 overall prospect in the 2027 cycle. He also gives Ohio State its 21st commitment overall in the class.
The Buckeyes are getting more than just a straight-ahead runner. Gordon has built a reputation as an explosive, shifty and decisive back who can create chunk plays in a hurry. He’s also a downfield receiving threat and a dangerous return man, which shows up clearly in his high school numbers.
Over three seasons, Gordon has piled up 3,429 rushing yards and 55 rushing touchdowns. He’s added 78 catches for 1,423 yards and 12 scores through the air, plus 29 kickoff returns for 816 yards and two touchdowns. He has also returned 14 punts for 130 yards.
That all makes him a strong fit as a big-play option, even if he isn’t the biggest back in the room. The source material points to a comparison with current Ohio State freshman Legend Bey, with Gordon projecting as a player who can impact the game as a runner, receiver and return specialist.
His commitment also closes one chapter in Ohio State’s search for a 2027 running back, though the Buckeyes may not be finished yet. For much of the cycle, Carlos Locklyn was locked in on five-star David Gabriel Georges. Once Georges committed to Tennessee in July, Ohio State had to widen its board after several other targets had already gone elsewhere.
The Buckeyes then made a run at three-star Cincinnati back Jordan Hall, but Hall chose Penn State. Gordon emerged quickly after that, and Ohio State offered him just three days later.
Even with Gordon on board, Ohio State would like to sign two running backs in the class and is still tracking other flip targets. Alabama commit Nigel Newkirk, the No. 14 running back in the class, is set to visit Columbus for this week’s game against Northwestern.
Florida State commit Jayden Miles visited Ohio State this summer, and the Buckeyes have stayed in contact with him despite his pledge to the Seminoles. Wisconsin commit Kingston Allen, the No. 17 running back in the class, also visited Ohio State last month.
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