COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State is expected to sign four-star defensive tackle Jacolbe Cowan during the early signing period for the 2020 recruiting class, which lasts from Dec. 18-20. Learn more about this member of the Buckeyes’ recruiting class with this profile.
Jacolbe Cowan
School: Providence Day School (Charlotte, N.C.).
Position: Defensive tackle.
Height, weight: 6-foot-5, 262 pounds.
247Sports rating: 4-star prospect rated the No. 15 defensive tackle, the No. 8 player in the state of North Carolina and the No. 161 player in the country according to the 247Sports.com composite ratings.
Other offers: Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, Texas, Texas A&M, Virginia and others.
What’s his deal?
Cowan took his official visit to Ohio State in June on the same weekend that Luke Wypler, Mitchell Melton and Ty Hamilton also made their officials. But unlike that trio, who either were committed on the visit or committed after the visit, Cowan’s decision did not come until early October.
Charles Power of 247Sports likens Cowan’s game to that of Packers defensive tackle Quinton Dial. “His stature and length are on the high end for defensive line prospects. Carries his weight well at a relatively thin-looking 277 pounds and should tack on a good amount of muscle and bulk. Given his room for physical growth, it's likely he ends up north of 300 pounds at the next level. Tests as a solid athlete along the defensive line with good quickness and change of direction,” Power wrote.
How he fits into Ohio State’s plans
2020 is the rare Ohio State recruiting class that didn’t feature a top-100 prospect on the defensive line. Although Chase Young is likely headed to the NFL after the season, the Buckeyes didn’t necessarily need a big-time prospect in the front four. Cowan is the highest rated lineman in this class.
But none of that means there wasn’t a need on the defensive front. Three tackles are graduating, including starters DaVon Hamilton and Jashon Cornell. Cowan, along with Darrion Henry, will add some depth on the interior.
Projections for 2020
There’s too much in front of Cowan to expect him to play that much in 2020 outside of maybe late snaps. It could be a redshirt season for him, which isn’t a bad thing. If he is indeed going to stay at defensive tackle, he needs to work on getting his weight up to play that position at the collegiate level.
Read more about Cowan
From cleveland.com
* What Cowan’s commitment means for the Buckeyes
Other stories about Cowan
* Riding with Recruits: Providence Day’s Jacolbe Cowan (Charlotte Observer)
Ohio State’s 2020 recruiting class
* See Ohio State’s entire 2020 recruiting class here
More Ohio State National Signing Day profiles
* Julian Fleming, 5-star receiver
* Paris Johnson Jr., 5-star offensive tackle
* Jaxon Smith-Njigba, 4-star receiver
* Clark Phillips III, 4-star cornerback
* Gee Scott Jr., 4-star receiver
* Lathan Ransom, 4-star safety
* Mookie Cooper, 4-star receiver
* Cody Simon, 4-star outside linebacker
* Kourt Williams, 4-star outside linebacker
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