Ohio State is on the board in the secondary for its 2024 class.
The Buckeyes landed four-star New Jersey safety Jaylen McClain on Monday, shortly after Perry Eliano, Ryan Day and others put a full-court press for him during his official visit to Columbus over the weekend.
The McClain File
- Class: 2024
- Size: 6-0/185
- Pos: S
- School: Seton Hall Prep (West Orange, New Jersey)
- Composite Rating: ★★★★
- Composite Rank: #243 (#22 S)
McClain's recruitment was a quick one, as he was offered by Eliano on March 2, then committed to the Buckeyes a little more than three months later. The New Jersey product is the 14th commit in total to join Ohio State's 2024 class, but he gives the Buckeyes a much-needed addition on the defensive side of the ball. Not only is McClain the first secondary player to join OSU's current cycle, but he's just the third defensive prospect in total compared to 11 offensive players.
OSU doesn't envision that will remain the case for long, though. The Buckeyes are still expected to host more secondary and defensive prospects on official visits this summer, and where safeties are concerned, will target KJ Bolden, Peyton Woodyard, Jordon Johnson-Rubell and Reggie Powers.
Committed#Gobucks @Hayesfawcett3 pic.twitter.com/NKokfXQUBY
— (@Jaylenmcclain08) June 12, 2023
McClain's addition marks the second straight year the Buckeyes have added a safety from New Jersey, with Jayden Bonsu signing in the 2023 class. Ohio State has also had recent luck with safeties from New Jersey considering former OSU product Ronnie Hickman started for the Buckeyes the past two seasons. Other New Jersey prospects to join OSU in recent recruiting classes include Cody Simon (2020) and Luke Wypler (2020).
McClain chose Ohio State over the likes of Notre Dame, USC, Oregon, Penn State, Rutgers, Boston College, Cincinnati, Duke, Georgia, Iowa State, Kentucky, Louisville, LSU, Maryland, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Stanford, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas A&M, UCLA and Wisconsin.
| Pos | Name | Rating | Rank | Size | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WR | JEREMIAH SMITH | ★★★★★ | #2 NATL | #1 WR | 6-3 | 198 | Chaminade-Madonna Prep (Opa Locka, Florida) |
| WR | MYLAN GRAHAM | ★★★★★ | #17 NATL | #4 WR | 6-1 | 170 | New Haven (New Haven, Indiana) |
| QB | AIR NOLAND | ★★★★ | #59 NATL | #6 QB | 6-3 | 195 | Langston Hughes (Fairburn, Georgia) |
| RB | JAMES PEOPLES | ★★★★ | #77 NATL | #6 RB | 5-10 | 192 | Veterans Memorial (San Antonio, Texas) |
| OT | IAN MOORE | ★★★★ | #112 NATL | #6 IOL | 6-5 | 295 | New Palestine (New Palestine, Indiana) |
| LB | GARRETT STOVER | ★★★★ | #138 NATL | #12 LB | 6-0 | 195 | Big Walnut (Sunbury, OH) |
| LB | PAYTON PIERCE | ★★★★ | #159 NATL | #15 LB | 6-1 | 225 | Lovejoy (Lucas, Texas) |
| S | JAYLEN McCLAIN | ★★★★ | #243 NATL | #22 S | 6-0 | 185 | Seton Hall Prep (West Orange, New Jersey) |
| TE | MAX LEBLANC | ★★★★ | #275 NATL | #14 TE | 6-4 | 222 | Baylor School (Chattanooga, Tennessee) |
| RB | JORDAN LYLE | ★★★★ | #326 NATL | #28 RB | 6-0 | 180 | St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Laderdale, Florida) |
| OT | DEONTAE ARMSTRONG | ★★★★ | #333 NATL | #30 OT | 6-6 | 280 | St. Edward (Lakewood, OH) |
| OL | DEVONTAE ARMSTRONG | ★★★★ | #359 NATL | #21 IOL | 6-4 | 265 | St. Edward (Lakewood, OH) |
| OL | MARC NAVE | ★★★ | #617 NATL | #39 IOL | 6-5 | 315 | Central Catholic (Toledo, OH) |
| RB | SAM WILLIAMS-DIXON | ★★★ | #714 NATL | #73 ATH | 5-11 | 203 | Pickerington North (Columbus, OH) |
| Prospect Rating Data: 247Sports | |||||
McClain profiles as an adept strong safety in Jim Knowles' defense
Per 247Sports' composite rankings, McClain is considered the 243rd-rated prospect and the 22nd-rated safety in the 2024 class, with the New Jersey product seeing a rapid climb up the rankings the past few months.
The 6-foot, 185-pound prospect is a two-way player for Seton Hall Prep (West Orange, New Jersey), lining up at wide receiver offensively. OSU is obviously focused on his capabilities as a defensive back, though. Last season, McClain racked up 83 tackles with a sack and interception. Offensively, he totaled five receptions for 22 yards and five carries for 17 yards and a touchdown.
At his build, McClain is best fitted as a strong safety in defensive coordinator Jim Knowles' scheme. McClain has both speed to be adept in coverage, being clocked at 11.06 seconds in the 100-meter dash and 22.7 seconds in the 200-meter dash but also the physicality needed to cover and jam tight ends or make plays in the run game. Given his edge awareness he displayed in high school, it wouldn't be surprising to see Knowles deploy him in the box when on the field.
McClain will need to bulk up a bit when he gets on campus, but has a chance to compete for playing time within his first few seasons, especially considering he's willing to play multiple positions and could be a special teams contributor.
