Fast-rising safety prospect Jaylen McClain commits to Ohio State
COLUMBUS — Ohio State hosted a number of defensive prospects the second weekend of June. It needs help with its defensive class in a major way, and it just got some.
Jaylen McClain has committed to Ohio State.
The four-star West Orange (N.J.) Seton Hall Prep safety committed to the Buckeyes over Penn State, USC, Notre Dame and others.
On3 is way higher on McClain compared to the industry and has him as the No. 7 safety and No. 106 overall prospect. The On3 Industry Rankings reflect a major difference and McClain is the No. 285 overall prospect and No. 26 safety.
He is the top-rated New Jersey prospect but No. 4 in the Industry Rankings.
McClain was a fast-rising prospect on safety coach Perry Eliano’s board. The Buckeyes offered McClain back in March and then in April he made his debut visit to campus.
ICYMI: Top-100 safety prospect Jaylen McClain already scheduling next Ohio State visit
It took a little less than a month for McClain and Ohio State to schedule his official visit, but that visit served multiple purposes for him.
He and his family had a number of questions about the program as McClain spoke with Lettermen Row before the visit.
“I hope to just get around the guys on the team more so I can get a feel for how things really are over there,” McClain told Lettermen Row. “And I can just ask them questions.”
ICYMI: Top-150 prospect Jaylen McClain prepped for Ohio State official visit
His questions found answers following his official visit, and the biggest answer was his commitment.
McClain is the 14th prospect in the Buckeyes’ No. 2 2024 class.
He is the third defensive prospect in the class and the first defensive back as well. McClain joins four-star linebacker duo Garrett Stover and Payton Pierce as the defensive trio.
Ohio State’s class is led by five-star wide receiver pair Jeremiah Smith and Mylan Graham.
The Buckeyes are only beginning defensively. They remain in the mix for several of the country’s elite prospects including Marquise Lightfoot, Eddrick Houston, Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Aaron Scott Jr., Bryce West and more.
Ohio State has two more major official visit weekends on its calendar with more defensive prospects heading to campus.
One thing is for certain, four-star safety Jaylen McClain will be back on campus.
And the next time he is, it will be as a Buckeye.
