Ohio State Lands Five-Star Defensive End DJ Jacobs, 247Sports' Top Prospect in the Class of 2027

Five-star DJ Jacobs, the No. 8 overall prospect – number one overall by 247Sports' rankings – and No. 1 defensive end in the 247Sports composite, committed to Ohio State on Monday.

BREAKING: Five-Star EDGE David DJ Jacobs has Committed to Ohio State, he tells me for @rivals

The 65 237 EDGE from Roswell, GA chose the Buckeyes over Miami and Texas A&M

Jacobs is one of the Top Recruits in the 2027 Class

Go Buckeyeshttps://t.co/IhcljUfXUf pic.twitter.com/PATlis7TYw

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 30, 2025

Ohio State beat out fellow top contenders Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame, Oregon, Texas A&M and Miami, which the Buckeyes play Wednesday in the College Football Playoff at the Cotton Bowl, for Jacobs' services.

From a hotbed of the South in Roswell, Georgia, Jacobs put up unbelievable stats as a junior, collecting 102 tackles, 24 tackles for loss and 16 sacks for Blessed Trinity Catholic High School. He's the first five-star commitment on the defensive side of the ball for Ohio State, joining wide receiver Jamier Brown as five-star pledges for the Buckeyes in the class of 2027.

The Bulldogs were long considered leaders for the prospect in their backyard, given that Jacobs' father, David Jacobs, was a standout defensive lineman there from 1999 through 2001. DJ Jacobs' godfather is former Georgia coach Mark Richt. Miami recently surged to the front of his recruitment, however, and was his projected landing spot by many experts heading into his commitment on Monday. But he sided with the Buckeyes in the end, citing the family atmosphere cultivated by head coach Ryan Day and defensive line coach Larry Johnson.

BREAKING: 5 EDGE DJ Jacobs the No. 1 player in the class of 2027 has committed to coach Ryan Day and THE @OhioStateFB Buckeyes

Jacobs chose the Buckeyes over Miami, Georgia, Alabama and others. pic.twitter.com/8OCWUlxlFI

— CBS Sports College Football (@CBSSportsCFB) December 30, 2025

"Literally 10 minutes ago..."

5 EDGE DJ Jacobs breaks down how he informed Ryan Day of his commitment right before going live and why he chose @OhioStateFB @DaviddJacobss x @TomLoy247 pic.twitter.com/WD3BoE6ZSv

— CBS Sports College Football (@CBSSportsCFB) December 30, 2025

“Coach Day, Coach Johnson, man, they just treated me like family,” Jacobs told 247Sports during his commitment announcement. “This is a big moment for me, so I definitely trust them with everything in my future.”

Possessing prototypical length at 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, Jacobs brings elite quickness, explosive athleticism and overpowering strength to the defensive end position. His ceiling is that of a top-10 NFL draft pick once he gets into a collegiate strength and conditioning program and refines his technique with a great developer of defensive linemen, a reputation Johnson holds.

Ohio State is up to nine commitments in the recruiting class of 2027, which now ranks third in the 247Sports composite. He's the Buckeyes' fourth defensive commit in total, joining four-star linebacker Quinton Cypher, four-star safety Eli Johnson and three-star safety Angelo Smith.