Feb. 17—***
Eventually, the pack of superstars Ryan Day has accumulated at Ohio State will be ready to turn pro. After the 2026 season, receiver Jeremiah Smith will be going to the land of play for more pay.
And that means Day and his staff need to find the next wave of potential greats. So far, so good.
According to ON3, Ohio State currently has the top class for 2027. The nine commits include two five-stars and five four-stars. Yes, there is a possible replacement for Smith: Jamier Brown of Wayne, Ohio. He will probably be off to the NFL in 2030.
Ohio State is one of just two Big Ten teams in the Top 10 today. The other is a big surprise: Nebraska, which is coming off a rough finish in 2025 and expected to struggle in '26. Among the commits is quarterback Trae Taylor, who is reportedly moving from Illinois to a Nebraska high school for his senior season.
It is very early, but three more Big Ten schools are in the Top 20: No. 12 Michigan, No. 19 Oregon and No. 20 Iowa.
Indiana is at No. 22, followed by Washington (23) and Wisconsin (27).
The rankings stop at No. 33.
Illinois has one commitment: quarterback Kamden Lopati, a three-star prospect from Utah.