What 5-star Marcus Fakatou committing to Ohio State over Georgia, Texas means for Buckeyes

Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson has clearly not lost his ability to recruit.

After missing out on some impact defensive linemen over the past few cycles, the 30-year college coach has been on a hot streak in the 2027 class and got more good news on Monday when five-star prospect Marcus Fakatou of Sierra Canyon in Chatsworth, Calif., committed to the Buckeyes.

Fakatou, who is the No. 26 player in the 247Sports Composite rankings — and No. 2 among defensive lineman — will join a loaded Ohio State defensive line class that also includes five-star DJ Jacobs and four-star Wyatt Smith.

If the rankings hold and Ohio State can get this class to the finish line, it will be the first time that the Buckeyes have signed two five-star defensive linemen in the same class since getting JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer in the 2021 class. They went on to become cornerstones of the 2024 national championship team.

Fakatou chose Ohio State despite strong pursuit from Georgia and Texas. It will have to keep those schools off of Fakatou before signing day, but Ohio State was never shy about its interest in the 6-foot-6, 275-pound defensive lineman. When Fakatou arrived in Columbus on May 29, much of the defensive staff met him in the lobby of the airport to welcome the California product to Ohio.

Landing Fakatou is a big step toward finishing off Ohio State’s defensive line class. The Buckeyes still need some help along the interior and are in play for Karlos May, a four-star recruit from Alabama. But for now, this is a near dream scenario for Johnson and the Buckeyes, putting to bed the concerns about whether Johnson, 74, still had it on the recruiting trail.

Ohio State has had a lot to celebrate recently, given that it also got recent commitments from three-star receiver Jordan Donahoo and four-star offensive tackle Caden Moss.

Moss, the No. 2 player in Mississippi, is arguably the biggest win yet for offensive line coach Tyler Bowen. The Buckeyes had to hold off Ole Miss in its recruitment of Moss, who is the No. 7 offensive tackle in the country. He adds to an already strong offensive line class that includes Kellen Wymer, the No. 4 interior lineman.

With Fakatou and Moss on board, the next major commitment decision could come from five-star running back David Gabriel Georges, the No. 2 running back in the country, who is choosing between Ohio State and Tennessee.