Fresh off his visit to Ohio State this weekend, West Orange (N.J.) Stein Hall Prep four-star safety Jaylen McClain (6-0, 185) announced his commitment to the Buckeyes on Monday afternoon.
McClain is the No. 243 overall prospect and No. 22 safety in 2024, and he represents the first commitment in the defensive backfield for Ohio State in the recruiting cycle. He is just the third defensive commitment thus far in the class, joining Lucas (Texas) Lvejoy four-star linebacker Payton Pierce (6-1, 225) and Sunbury (Ohio) Big Walnut four-star linebacker Garrett Stover (6-0, 195).
McClain – whose other top programs included Notre Dame, Oregon, Penn State and USC – was only offered by Ohio State and safeties coach Perry Eliano back in March. He made his first visit to the school in the spring and returned to campus for a visit this past weekend that solidified his pledge to the Buckeyes.
He posted a combined 154 tackles and two interceptions in his last two seasons of high school football and was also a two-way player, lining up at receiver, and also runs track for Seton Hall Prep.
Other targets at safety for Ohio State include Buford, Ga., five-star KJ Bolden (6-1, 185), Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco four-star Peyton Woodyard (6-2, 188) and Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna Prep four-star Zaquan Patterson (6-0, 185).
