Ohio State adds 6-foot-3, 305-pound pass-rusher Karlos May to its 2027 recruiting class

Ohio State secured a key piece of its 2027 recruiting cycle on Friday when Birmingham standout Karlos May committed as a pass-rusher, giving head coach Ryan Day another high-end defensive front prospect aimed at accelerating the program’s pressure production. The move is part of what the report described as a steady early start for Ohio State’s 2027 class, even as the staff works to turn promising recruiting momentum into an elite group overall.

May is listed at 6 feet 3 inches and 305 pounds, a profile that fits the modern demand for disruptive edge and interior pressure. According to the report, he is a four-star recruit, and the commitment indicates that Ohio State remains aggressive in courting prospects in the Southeastern recruiting footprint.

The decision was also framed as a choice of environment and development. The report ties May’s pledge to Ohio State’s defensive line room and Larry Johnson’s coaching, suggesting the Buckeyes sold a specific developmental pathway for pass-rush roles. For programs that already recruit heavily at the line of scrimmage, the difference often comes down to how quickly coaches can translate raw traits into repeatable production.

Ohio State’s recruiting strategy for defensive front talent has tended to emphasize building depth as well as upside, because pass-rush effectiveness depends on sustained rotation and the ability to match up across personnel groupings. A commitment like May’s also matters beyond one player, since defensive line recruiting has a cascading effect, often shaping recruiting boards for related positions and widening the pool of complementary prospects.

Still, as with any early-cycle commitment, Ohio State’s finish depends on what happens between now and signing day. Recruiting classes rarely stay static, and staffs typically continue to evaluate other candidates even after securing a commitment. The Buckeyes will also be weighing May’s fit against its broader defensive-building needs in the 2027 class, including how the pass-rush responsibilities are divided among ends, tackles, and hybrid pieces.

For May, the commitment places him on a clear timeline with Ohio State, but development will be the determining factor in how quickly he can contribute on the field. The most meaningful follow-up is whether Ohio State continues to stack complementary defensive line and pressure recruits around him, reinforcing the defensive identity the coaching staff is targeting for the next group of teams.

As the summer advances, expect Ohio State to keep recruiting actively while managing expectations for the 2027 class. If May’s pledge holds, it becomes a meaningful anchor in Ohio State’s effort to sustain elite defensive recruiting while building a future pass-rush core around Johnson’s defensive line program.