An Ohio State football helmet next to the field at Ohio State while Buckeyes football players warm up. Lori Schmidt / Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Ohio State, Ryan Day Lose Battle for 2027 Prospect to Clemson

Originally posted on Ohio State Buckeyes on SI
By Dylan Feltovich | Last updated Jun 3, 2025 6:40 PM ET

While many Ohio State Buckeye fans are focused on the upcoming recruiting cycle, head coach Ryan Day and the program received some unfortunate news on a talented 2027 prospect.

On3Sports' Hayes Fawcett reported on Tuesday night that 2027 four-star linebacker Max Brown has committed to Clemson.

BREAKING: Four-Star LB Max Brown (2027) has Committed to Clemson, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’0 215 LB from Jefferson, GA chose the Tigers over Ohio State, Auburn, & Tennessee

He’s the younger brother of Clemson LB Sammy Brownhttps://t.co/zLjm7rL5qn pic.twitter.com/RCoAaaRz45
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 3, 2025

Brown, the No. 13-rated athlete according to 247Sports' Composite Ratings, is a talented linebacker out of the state of Georgia who impressed colleges with his tactical playstyle on defense. At 6-foot-1, 214 lbs, Brown finished his sophomore season at Jefferson High School with 152 tackles and 14 tackles for losses in 2024. His incredible play throughout his first two season in high school earned him multiple offers top programs, such as Arkansas, Auburn and Tennessee

With Brown off the board for the Buckeyes, Day will have to look elsewhere to begin building up his linebacker recruits in the 2027 recruiting cycle. So far, Ohio State has offered 14 different linebacker prospects for next year's recruiting class, including five of the top ten players in the class. Out of the linebackers who have received offers from the Buckeyes, only one prospect has committed to a different program in four-star Taven Epps (Texas)

This article first appeared on Ohio State Buckeyes on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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