by Ohio State continued its recruiting surge last week, landing commitments from five-star defensive lineman Marcus Fakatou in the 2027 class and five-star wide receiver Jett Harrison in the 2028 class. The blue-chip prospects announced their decisions just days apart, giving the Buckeyes another boost for the future on both sides of the ball.
Fakatou became the fourth five-star pledge in Ohio State’s 2027 class when he chose the Buckeyes over fellow finalists Texas and Georgia. The 6-foot-7, 275-pound defensive lineman is regarded as one of the nation’s top prospects and adds another elite talent to Larry Johnson’s defensive front.
Before choosing Ohio State, Fakatou starred at Orange Lutheran High School in California, where he recorded 69 tackles and seven sacks during his junior season. He reclassified into the 2027 class last fall before transferring to Sierra Canyon High School, where he will face some of California’s top competition during his senior season.
ESPN ranks Fakatou as the No. 2 defensive tackle and the No. 11 overall prospect in the 2027 class.
Ohio State’s momentum continued just days later when Harrison announced his commitment. The younger brother of former Buckeye receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison Sr., Harrison chose Ohio State over Oregon and Miami before closing his recruitment.
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound receiver from St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia is one of the premier prospects in the 2028 class. ESPN ranks Harrison as the No. 2 wide receiver and the No. 6 overall prospect in the cycle, giving the Buckeyes an early cornerstone for the class.
Harrison will arrive in Columbus with lofty expectations. Marvin Harrison Jr. finished his Ohio State career with 155 receptions for 2,613 yards and 31 touchdowns, becoming just the second Buckeye receiver to win the Biletnikoff Award before the Arizona Cardinals selected him with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Still, the comparisons may not be as daunting as they seem. In August 2024, Harrison Jr. said Jett was already a better player than he was at the same age, highlighting why Ohio State made him an early priority in the 2028 recruiting cycle.
