The top prospect in the 2027 college football recruiting class, DJ Jacobs, is generating significant interest from three major programs despite already committing to Ohio State. As the recruiting landscape heats up in the early stages of the 2026 offseason, many elite players in the 2027 cycle are expected to wait until summer to announce their commitments. However, Jacobs made headlines with his pledge to the Buckeyes on December 29, 2025.
Ranked as the No. 1 defensive end by Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN 300, Jacobs has also been recognized as the top overall player in his class by 247Sports. In a scouting report, 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins described Jacobs as a “cast-iron edge defender” with the necessary size, speed, and strength to dominate during games. Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 235 pounds, Jacobs hails from just north of Atlanta and is among nine players who have already committed to Ohio State in the 2027 class. Currently, he is the only defensive line recruit for the Buckeyes this cycle.
Even with his commitment to Ohio State, other schools are actively trying to change his mind. According to Eli Lederman of ESPN, three Power Four programs are making strides to incorporate Jacobs into their 2027 recruiting classes. His ties to Georgia are particularly strong, as the distance between his hometown of Roswell and Athens is approximately an hour and a half. Furthermore, Jacobs” father, David Jacobs, played defensive line for the Bulldogs from 1999 to 2002. While Ivins did not claim a direct comparison, he likened Jacobs to former Georgia standout Travon Walker, who became the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The only defensive commitment for Georgia in its 2027 class thus far is four-star cornerback Donte Wright. Prior to his commitment to Ohio State, Jacobs visited Texas, which recently revamped its defensive coaching staff. The Longhorns parted ways with defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski to bring in Will Muschamp. Texas has already secured a commitment from three-star defensive end Cameron Hall for the 2027 class. If Jacobs were to switch his commitment to Texas, he would be the highest-rated defensive end signed by the Longhorns since Alfred Collins in 2020.
Additionally, Miami is another program vying for Jacobs” attention. The Hurricanes recently had two probable first-round NFL draft picks, Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor, in 2025. Currently, the only defensive end among Miami”s four commitments for 2027 is four-star Demarcus Deroche. The last five-star defensive end to join Miami was Hayden Lowe, who was part of the Hurricanes” 2025 signing class.
