Ohio State Buckeyes safety Jaylen McClain has played all but one game during his two years in Columbus thus far, building a resume that has him considered to be a fourth-round selection in the 2027 NFL draft.
Land-Grant Holy Land's Brett Ludwiczak believes McClain will elevate his play during the 2026 College Football season, and foresees the former Seton Hall Prep star being considered for the First Team All-Big Ten.
"McClain will lose playing next to Downs this year, but he’ll have another talented partner in Terry Moore, who was brought in from Duke. Now a junior, McClain is only going to get better with each game he plays," Ludwiczak wrote. "The next step for the New Jersey native will be to try and get some bigger impact plays under his belt, as he didn’t record an interception or forced fumble last year, which is understandable since his job was to make sure to be a sure tackler.
"Don’t be surprised if by the end of the regular season McClain is in the conversation for First Team All-Big Ten since he has the potential to be that good, and this year he’ll take on an even bigger role in the secondary since he’ll be more comfortable as a starter."
Caleb Downs shadow will always work against Jaylen McClain
It's unfortunate for McClain. While he has a certain NFL future, minus the catastrophic in 2026, McClain will always be tied to Caleb Downs' play, for better or for worse. Hell, even when saying he'd be going to the NFL, Bucknuts' Patrick Murphy had to put a "He may not be Downs, but..." tag on his analysis.
McClain's lack of game-changing plays so far has branded him as a modest needle-mover within a bigger system. 2026 is his chance to prove that he can stand on his own and be a leader for the Ohio State University during a pivotal, difficult campaign this fall.
Pick off some passes, force some fumbles, and McClain will have a new brand soon enough.
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