Ohio State is picking up some steam on the recruiting trail. The Buckeyes have been predicted to be the landing spot for one of the top defenders in 2027 over multiple College Football Playoff contenders.
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We’re in a crucial with a ton of visits happening in May and June.
May 29 may be the most important weekend for the Buckeyes. Top target five-star RB David Gabriel Georges will be on campus, but he won’t be alone. Ohio State will be hosting another five-star talent that weekend, and they’re predicted to land him.
Ohio State is the team to beat for five-star DL Marcus Fakatou
Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson picked up a big win last week with the . Now, it looks like the Buckeyes could end up with five-star Sierra Canyon (CA) DL Marcus Fakatou.
Steve Wiltfong and Adam Gorney of Rivals have both predicted it will be the Buckeyes for Fakatou.
“Similar to Gabriel Georges, the Buckeyes track record of developing defensive linemen, consistently producing players and suiting up the biggest games attracts Fakatou, and OSU will also be very competitive on the modern recruiting front,” Wiltfong wrote. “Gorney and I moved our predictions to Ohio State to reflect the pulse going into summer.”
The 6-foot-6, 275-pound defensive lineman is rated the No. 32 player nationally and No. 2 defensive lineman, per 247 Sports Composite. Ohio State is battling the likes of Notre Dame, Alabama, Auburn, and others. The May 29 official visit will be Ohio State’s chance to land a verbal.
Larry Johnson is putting together a special group, especially if Fakatou gets into the mix
Ohio State has No. 1 EDGE DJ Jacobs as the headliner of the 2027 class and bringing in the No. 2 DL with Fakatou would be one of the best one-two punches we’ve seen land at Ohio State. Smith is a top-100 player himself and has a chance to finish a top-10 EDGE in the class.
Even at 73, Johnson continues to be an elite recruiter. The proof is in the players the Buckeyes send off to the NFL with clear development taking place in Columbus. Landing Fakatou would be big in the Buckeyes pushing for another top-5 class.
