Ohio State Lands Four-Star Linebacker Quinton Cypher for Class of 2027

Four-star linebacker Quinton Cypher, the No. 192 overall prospect and No. 11 linebacker in the current junior class, committed to Ohio State over fellow finalists Alabama, Miami and Georgia on Friday.

Cypher hails from Raleigh, North Carolina, where he's a tackle machine for Millbrook High School. A starter at the varsity level since he hit the prep ranks as a freshman, he's recorded at least 155 tackles in each of his three seasons. As a junior in 2025, he collected an eye-popping 181 tackles with 48 tackles for loss. He added 5.5 sacks and four interceptions for good measure.

Ohio State was one of the first schools to offer Cypher during his sophomore season, extending the opportunity on Aug. 28, 2024. In addition to his four finalists, he also held offers from Clemson, Florida State, Kentucky, Louisville, Michigan, North Carolina, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Texas A&M and a boatload of other schools.

The top traits that stand out on Cypher's tape are his instincts and nose for the football. On the second play of his complete junior highlight reel, he diagnoses a wide receiver screen, dashes downhill and intercepts the pass. A rare feat for a linebacker. He's a hard hitter, too, driving his feet through contact with great form to punish ballcarriers.

That's without mentioning his versatility as an athlete. He played a bit of running back and wide receiver for Millbrook, showing off his burst and agility. There are clear traits to work with for Laurinaitis, who's already gaining a reputation as one of the nation's best linebacker developers, and Cypher will have room to fill out his 220-pound frame once he starts in Ohio State's strength and conditioning program.

Cypher lays a foundation for Laurinaitis to build around in the 2027 recruiting class, which should allow him to be selective with further additions. Ohio State signed a trio of four-star linebackers in the 2026 class in Cincere Johnson, CJ Sanna and Braxton Rembert.

If and when Cypher signs with the Buckeyes, it will be the second time in three recruiting cycles that they inked a prospect from North Carolina after landing three-star defensive tackle Trajen Odom from the Tar Heel State in the class of 2025. Ohio State is also among the top contenders for his Millbrook High School teammate, Rashad Streets, a four-star defensive end ranked as the No. 66 overall prospect in the 2027 class.

Cypher is Ohio State's eighth overall commitment in the class of 2027 and its third on defense, joining four-star safety Eli Johnson and three-star safety Angelo Smith.