The Ohio State Buckeyes’ game against the Oregon Ducks did not go according to plan, and the dust has now settled. The loss on the field stung, and the timing made it worse. Ohio State hosted a huge recruiting weekend in Columbus, with a long list of high-end prospects on campus for the big game.

Ohio State uses these big-time matchups as a recruiting draw. Laying a dud like the Buckeyes did against the Ducks in front of that crowd of recruits just isn’t a good look.

5-star edge rusher DJ Jacobs returned to Columbus for the Oregon game

One of the biggest names in town was 5-star edge rusher commit DJ Jacobs. He made the trip with his brother, Dawson Jacobs, a 4-star defensive lineman in the class of 2028.

DJ, the 2027 5-star recruit out of Blessed Trinity Catholic in Roswell, Georgia, had another good experience in Columbus all signs point to. He has been back on campus multiple times, and he has been committed to Ohio State for nearly a year now after his pledge last December.

Since then, Jacobs has taken visits to other programs this season, including Miami, Georgia, and Tennessee. He remains committed to the Buckeyes, but he has kept an open door for communication with those schools.

Getting him back on campus for the Oregon game was a positive for Ohio State, especially after his recent trips elsewhere. A face-to-face conversation with a commit and his family always matters, and by all accounts, this one was key.

Jacobs’ family keeps the door open with Georgia, Miami, and Tennessee

Jacobs remains locked in with Ohio State. Still, the rest of his recruitment hasn’t gone quiet. His father, David Sr., spoke with Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong about where things stand with the other programs.

“Georgia always makes sure they stay in touch,” David Sr. said when asked specifically about the Bulldogs, via Wiltfong. “They’re doing the same as everyone else. Doing the day-to-day, maintaining and keeping in touch. Miami, Tennessee, everybody.”

This look like a recruitment that’s going to go down to the wire. The early signing period in December will be vital for Ohio State to get to the finish line with Jacobs.

The Buckeyes also have to finish strong on the field. Ohio State closes out the regular season with three games against Northwestern, Nebraska, and Michigan, and how the team responds after the Oregon loss could matter on the recruiting trail as well.

Ohio State has to get Jacobs to the finish line

This feels like one of those recruitments similar to the Jeremiah Smith one a few years ago. Ohio State has a talented player committed and simply has to get him signed and on campus to start his freshman season next spring.

Jacobs isn’t expected to make the kind of immediate impact Smith did on the as the focal point of the team. However, he could still figure in as a pass rusher who plays a lot for Ohio State as a freshman next season.

The Buckeyes have to get there first. With Georgia, Miami, and Tennessee still in contact, the next month will be telling for one of the top prospects in Ohio State’s 2027 class. Right now, it feels like the home state Bulldogs are the biggest worry.