Ryan Day and CBs coach Tim Walton know Ohio State needs at least three cornerbacks in the 2027 class. And when they secured Deontay Malone’s commitment, Buckeye fans celebrated. Just three days later, they struck again on the recruiting trail, landing their second CB commitment in four days.

Per 247Sports, the latest to join Ohio State on Wednesday is 4-star Florida CB Jaden Carey. Now, if you’re questioning the star rating, you forget that Ryan Day’s staff prefer chess pieces over high stars. They saw early that Carey is a versatile player and offered him back in April 2025. More than a year later, that early belief helped the Buckeyes win his commitment.

“They’ve done an amazing job from showing me the development of what they have at my position,” he told 247Sports back in April. “Just continue to build that relationship, as they’re one of the first schools that ever invited me to come on a spring visit. Them having that belief in me since day one has really showed a lot to me.”

That relationship paid off. Following his June 5 official visit, Ohio State turned up the heat and beat out Miami and Auburn for the Fort Lauderdale standout. Jaden Carey’s commitment gives the Buckeyes 15 total pledges in the 2027 class and strengthens a CB group they hope will add one more. And while recruiting rankings only tell part of the story, his athletic profile is a plus point.

The St. Thomas Aquinas product is a multi-sport athlete who has posted an 11.62-second 100-meter dash and a 23.31-second 200-meter time. He also plays basketball, adding another layer to the versatility Ohio State covets. Jaden Carey becomes the second St. Thomas Aquinas player committed to Ohio State, joining DE Wyatt Smith. The Fort Lauderdale powerhouse also produced former Buckeye stars Nick and Joey Bosa.

Jaden Carey himself described the school’s vision when discussing the Buckeyes’ defensive scheme.

“Being versatile at the next level is especially a thing I’m looking into,” he said. “That definitely caught my eye, the star position.”

His comment offers a glimpse into what Ohio State is really looking for in recruits. 

Why Jaden Carey makes sense for Ohio State

Ohio State isn’t just chasing players who are great at one thing. They want athletes who can move around the field and handle different responsibilities. That’s become a major part of the Buckeyes’ defensive identity. Former Buckeyes like Caleb Downs, Sonny Styles, Jordan Hancock, and Arvell Reese are all chess pieces. Players who can cover receivers, help against the run, blitz when needed, and line up in different spots give the defense far more flexibility. 

“The number one thing with a bullet that I am just learning more and more and more is that Ohio State is recruiting players that can do a whole hell of a lot,” Buckeye Talk’s Andrew Gillis recently said. 

“If you can only cover, but you can’t stop the run,” Stephen Means added. “Okay, then anytime I see Mike Jones on the field, and I know he can’t stop the run, but he can cover. I’m just going to run the ball.”

Versatile defenders eliminate those tells. Jaden Carey fits that philosophy well. At 5-foot-11, he may not have the ideal size, but his football IQ, speed, and ball skills make him intriguing. During his junior season, he recorded 54 tackles, eight pass breakups, and four interceptions across 14 games.

And Ohio State may not be done yet. The Buckeyes remain heavily involved with in-state CB Monsanna Torbert Jr., also a Michigan target who visited Columbus on June 12 and is expected to announce his decision on July 1. Two CBs in four days isn’t luck. It’s evidence that Tim Walton is selling the right vision.