Eric Boggs
As Ohio State prepares for a New Year’s Eve showdown in the Cotton Bowl against either Texas A&M or Miami, the program’s focus extends beyond postseason preparation. With two weeks from its next kickoff, the Buckeyes are continuing to push forward on the recruiting trail, and that effort could soon pay off with another important addition to the 2027 class.
The Buckeyes currently hold seven verbal commitments in the 2027 cycle, a group that already ranks among the nation’s best. That number could grow this week as four-star linebacker Quinton Cypher, one of Ohio State’s top defensive targets, is expected to announce his college decision. Cypher, a Raleigh, North Carolina native from Millbrook High School, recently trimmed his list to four schools: Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia, and Miami.
Rated as the No. 11 linebacker and a top-200 national prospect in the 247Sports Composite, Cypher has steadily climbed recruiting boards thanks to his explosiveness, range, and ability to close from sideline to sideline. At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, he projects as the type of modern linebacker Ohio State has consistently developed into high-impact defenders. His recent visit to Columbus only strengthened the Buckeyes’ standing, and multiple recruiting analysts quickly logged predictions favoring Ohio State shortly after his top-four announcement.
Georgia is widely viewed as Ohio State’s primary competition in the recruitment, while Alabama and Miami remain factors. Still, the Buckeyes appear to have positioned themselves well heading into the decision, thanks in part to the efforts of linebackers coach James Laurinaitis, who has made Cypher a priority since early in the process. While optimism is warranted, Cypher has kept his recruitment relatively quiet, making it clear that nothing should be considered final until the announcement is made.
This recruiting momentum comes at an important time for Ryan Day and his staff. Following a narrow 13–10 loss to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship Game, Ohio State enters the College Football Playoff with renewed urgency and valuable preparation time. With the 2026 class largely finalized after the early signing period, the coaching staff has been able to devote significant attention to future classes, particularly the 2027 group, which already sits near the top of the national rankings.
As the Buckeyes balance postseason aspirations with long-term roster building, the potential addition of a blue-chip linebacker like Cypher would further underscore the program’s ability to recruit at an elite level, even during the heart of a championship run. An answer is expected sometime this week, and while nothing is guaranteed, all signs suggest Ohio State is firmly in the mix to land another cornerstone piece for its defensive future.
