Jaylen McClain

Jaylen McClain (born June 24, 2006) 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.

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

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