Ohio State opened up the week with a BOOM!
Ryan Day and the Ohio State coaching staff have had a busy June hosting some of the nation’s top recruits. This hard work is already paying off as the Buckeyes earned multiple commitments last week and weekend.
Ohio State had one more commitment left in its bag for June, as 2027 five-star defensive lineman Marcus Fakatou (Chatsworth, CA / Sierra Canyon) announced his commitment to Ohio State on Monday afternoon.
Fakatou’s commitment is a major recruiting win for Larry Johnson and Ryan Day. He was likely the Buckeyes’ top-remaining target in the 2027 class behind only five-star running back David Gabriel Georges.
Ohio State has long been recruiting Fakatou, officially presenting him with a scholarship offer in May of 2025. Since that offer, Ohio State was able to get him on campus multiple times, including a crucial spring visit in March.
Following that unofficial visit, Ohio State was viewed as legitimate contenders in his recruitment for what felt like the first time. This resulted in Ohio State receiving one of his coveted official visits alongside Texas and Georgia. He also had visits scheduled with Notre Dame and Oregon but canceled those plans following his first three visits.
Fakatou’s official visit to Ohio State was his first and it allowed Ohio State to set the bar high, and it did just that. Despite his visits to both Texas and Georgia going well, there was not quite the same spark following those as there was after his Ohio State visit.
The elite DL is the No. 2 DL in the 247Sports Composite and he is the No. 26 national recruit. He is also the No. 3 recruit out of the talent-rich state of California.
Fakatou is the 18th commitment in Ohio State’s class this cycle and his addition was massive. The Buckeyes class now sits at No. 7 in the nation and he gives Larry Johnson two five-star commitments on the defensive front.
Fakatou will join five-star edge DJ Jacobs and four-star edges Wyatt Smith and Prince Goldsby giving the Buckeyes one of their most impressive hauls along the defensive line in recent memory. Even scarier, they are still looking to add to this haul too.
Ohio State recently hosted four-star DL Karlos May (Birmingham, AL / Ramsay) on an official visit and following the visit many believed the Buckeyes had made up a lot of ground in his recruitment. Fast-forward to now and Ohio State has received multiple predictions in its favor to land May.
If May were to also join this Ohio State defensive line haul, it would be more than impressive for Larry Johnson and the Buckeyes.
For more on what Fakatou will bring to Ohio State’s 2027 recruiting cycle, 247Sports Director of Scouting, Andrew Ivins, had the following to say:
-Rugged defensive lineman with a sky-scraping frame and a wide base that wins primarily with effort and energy.
-Has gotten snaps out of a variety of different alignments, but is frequently featured as a 5-technique in a four-man front where he powers his way into the backfield with his raw strength.
-More of a one-speed mover that lacks the desired tempo as a rusher, but can build momentum and make stops in pursuit.
-Disengages from blockers with a long arm and will find ways to split double teams, but needs to get better at holding his ground and stuffing gaps.
-Likely to kick inside at the next level, but could settle in as a 4i in an odd front as that would allow him to read, react and create up-field push.
-Unique background as he grew up in Alaska, but projects as a potential impact player at the Power Four level with his physical features.
Quick Hits
Ohio State certainly celebrated Monday’s commitment from Fakatou, but the coaching staff was not resting on its laurels. The Buckeyes also hit the recruiting trail head on Monday by offering one of the top offensive tackles in the 2028 cycle in four-star Cannon Zubeck (Prairie Village, KS / Shawnee Mission East).
Zubeck is the No. 8 OT in the 247Sports Composite and he is the No. 65 national recruit. He is also the No. 1 recruit out of Kansas in 2028.