Wyatt Smith, a four‑star defensive end and the nation’s No. 11 edge rusher in the 2027 class, announced his commitment to Ohio State on Sunday, choosing the Buckeyes over a final slate that included Missouri, Notre Dame and Indiana.
A family legacy meets a new era
The decision caps a whirlwind recruitment for the Florida prospect, who exploded onto the scene with a 2025 junior campaign that produced 155 tackles, 13 sacks and a suite of accolades that earned him MaxPreps All‑American honors while guiding St. Thomas Aquinas to a Class 5A state title.
Coach Larry Johnson and the Ohio State defensive‑line staff out‑maneuvered the competition, leveraging a relationship that stretches back to Smith’s father, Justin Smith, a former Missouri standout who later recorded 87 sacks in a 14‑year NFL career. The younger Smith’s pledge marks the twelfth verbal commitment in the 2027 class for the Buckeyes.
The class already boasts five‑star edge rusher DJ Jacobs and wide‑receiver phenom Jamier Brown, who on May 10 confirmed he has shut down his recruitment and will sign with Ohio State in December. Alongside them, the Buckeyes have added safety Eli Johnson, linebacker Quinton Cypher and safety Angelo Smith, the younger brother of star wideout Jeremiah Smith.
Analysts expect the new defensive line to become a cornerstone of Ohio State’s national title aspirations, as the early commitments signal a recruiting surge that could reshape the program’s front seven for years to come.