Ohio State Buckeyes, Ryan Day Lose Out on 2026 4-Star Target

Ohio State Buckeyes' head coach Ryan Day has been on a tear in the 2026 recruiting cycle, as he's continues to lead the program to another to another top five class. However, the Buckeyes unfortunately missed out on a key recruit on Friday.

According to On3Sports' Hayes Fawcett on X, four-star linebacker and Ohio native Jakobe Clapper has committed to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish over the Buckeyes.

BREAKING: Four-Star LB Jakobe Clapper has Committed to Notre Dame, he tells me for @on3recruits

The 6’2 215 LB from Cincinnati, OH chose the Fighting Irish over Oregon, Michigan, Louisville, & Ohio State

“I’m home. Go Irish!”https://t.co/UYqmX5VOYK pic.twitter.com/RYe9rtaqwC
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 2, 2025

Clapper is the No. 29-ranked linebacker in the 2026 recruiting class and a top 20 player in the state of Ohio, per 247Sports' Composite Ratings. He finished his junior season at St. Xavier High School with over 100 tackles, along with 11.5 tackles for losses and 4.5 sacks. Despite Day's late push for the young talent, he would ultimately decide on the Fighting Irish.

Luckily for Ohio State, the program's 2026 class still remains one of the best in the nation. The Buckeyes rank fifth amongst all FCS schools, while also holding a four-star linebacker commit this cycle in CJ Sanna. In addition, Day continues to be in the running for one of the best players in the state of Ohio, as four-star Cincere Johnson is set to take an official visit on Jun 13.

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