Jaylen McClain

Last updated

Jaylen McClain
No. 18 – Ohio State Buckeyes
Position Safety
ClassSophomore
Personal information
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight201 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school Seton Hall Preparatory School
College
Awards and highlights
Stats at ESPN

Jaylen McClain is an American football safety for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Contents

Early life and high school

McClain attended high school at Seton Hall Preparatory School located in Essex County, New Jersey. During his junior season, he notched 83 tackles along with two interception, while also scoring an offensive touchdown. [1] Coming out of high school, McClain was rated as a four-star recruit, the 22nd overall safety, and the 243 overall player in the class of 2024, where he committed to play college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes over offers from other schools such as Georgia, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Oregon, Rutgers, Penn State, Stanford, Tennessee, and USC. [2] [3]

College career

During his true freshman season in 2024, he played in all 15 games, notching 15 tackles. [4] Heading into the 2025 season, McClain competed with Malik Hartford for a starting spot in the Buckeyes secondary. [5] [6] Ultimately, he would beat out Hartford, and become the team's starting safety besides Caleb Downs. [7] [8] In week one of the 2025 season, McClain notched eight tackles in a victory over the #1 ranked Texas Longhorns. [9] In week three, he notched a pass deflection, in a 37-9 victory over Ohio. [10]

Personal life

McClain's father, Maurice McClain, was a high school All-American safety before playing at Syracuse from 1999-2002. [11]

References

  1. ↑ Gay, Collin. "What Jaylen McClain brings to Ohio State's defense in 2024 recruiting class". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  2. ↑ Teague Robinson, Cameron. "Ohio State lands Jaylen McClain: What does 4-star DB from New Jersey bring to Buckeyes?". The Athletic. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  3. ↑ Means, Stephen. "Jaylen McClain, 4-star DB, commits to Ohio State football: Buckeyes Recruiting". Cleveland.com. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  4. ↑ Little, Brandon. "'I think he works well' – Ryan Day admits he's already liking a new starter's fit with Ohio State just one game into the season". A to Z Sports. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  5. ↑ Hodge, Garrick; Anders, Andy; Hope, Dan. "Quick Hits: Matt Guerrieri Says He's "Really Happy" with How Jaylen McClain and Malik Hartford Have Performed This Spring". Eleven Warriors. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  6. ↑ Anders, Andy. "Jaylen McClain, Malik Hartford Impressing in Ohio State's Strong Safety Competition: "They've Played Exceptionally Well"". Eleven Warriors. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  7. ↑ "'He's not a do-your-job guy anymore': The rapid rise of Jaylen McClain in Ohio State's elite defense". Cleveland.com. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  8. ↑ Jardy, Adam. "Ohio State defensive back Jaylen McClain previews Wisconsin game, dissects Buckeyes' defense". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  9. ↑ Hope, Dan. "Jaylen McClain Always Believed He Would Make Early Impact at Ohio State Despite Modest Recruiting Ranking". Eleven Warriors. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  10. ↑ Jurich, Jami. "Play of the Game: Ohio State safety Jaylen McClain forces huge incompletion". Land-Grant Holy Land. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  11. ↑ Gay, Collin. "Why 'Ohio State believes' in 2024 4-star safety commit Jaylen McClain". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
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