2024 Freshman Class Report: Safety Jaylen McClain

This is the fourth installment in a series where Buckeye Huddle looks back on each member of Ohio State’s 2024 signing class and the impact they had in their first season, as well as the impact they could have during the upcoming 2025 season. Up next is safety Jaylen McClain.

Ohio State signed Jaylen McClain out of Seton Hall Prep in West Orange, New Jersey where he was a four-star prospect. He was ranked the No. 36 safety in the nation and the No. 373 player overall in the 2024 recruiting class per the 247Sports Composite.

As a senior at Seton Hall Prep, McClain posted 126 tackles and earned First-Team All-State honors. He finished with 83 tackles and an interception as a junior. He signed with Ohio State over offers from Georgia, USC, Michigan, LSU, Notre Dame, Oregon, and many others.

2024 Season

Jaylen McClain (6-0 192) enrolled early and got a good start at making an impact as a true freshman. He was the third freshman to lose his black stripe last year, behind only receiver Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin. McClain was lauded throughout spring and fall camp as a guy who was always around the football. He parlayed that skill set into the job as the No. 2 strong safety behind Lathan Ransom.

McClain played in every game last season, seeing time on defense in 10 of the Buckeyes’ 16 games. He even got a start in the seventh game of the season against Nebraska when Ransom was out for a week. McClain finished with 15 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one pass defended as a freshman.

So Now What For Jaylen McClain

With Lathan Ransom off to the NFL, Jaylen McClain will be competing with junior Malik Hartford to be the starting safety opposite All-American Caleb Downs. Should Downs remain at free safety, McClain would then be competing at a position he is very comfortable playing.

With new defensive coordinator Matt Patricia taking over for former DC Jim Knowles, a new variable has been entered into the picture. That shouldn’t impact McClain’s effort and instincts, which have always been a big part of his tool box. The scheme, however, could have some tweaks.

Jaylen McClain played the third-most snaps last year among the deep safeties, so it won’t be a surprise to see him win the strong safety job this year. For McClain himself, it probably would be a surprise if he didn’t.

WR Damarion Witten | OT Ian Moore | DE Dominic Kirks

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