Four-Star Ohio Cornerback Deontay Malone Commits to Ohio State

Coming from Massillon Washington High School, Deontay Malone knows championship culture.

On Sunday, Malone chose to continue his football career with a program another Massillon graduate, Paul Brown, helped build into a title-winning powerhouse, committing to Ohio State as the No. 11 prospect in Ohio and the No. 284 overall recruit in the 2027 class.

Committing to @OhioStateFB means more than just playing football,it’s about joining a family, a legacy of greatness. I’m ready to work harder than ever, push past every limit, and represent the Buckeyes with pride and heart.❤️@MTigerFB @CoachNMoore @CoachKent34 @247Sports pic.twitter.com/tAnnns5c9s

— 4️⃣⭐️deontay malone (@deontaymalone6) June 14, 2026

Malone, a composite four-star cornerback, received his Ohio State offer on Jan. 27. He announced his commitment after completing an official visit to Ohio State on Sunday. Ohio State and Michigan State were the only schools Malone officially visited before committing to the Buckeyes.

The Malone File

Class: 2027

Size: 6-0/184

Pos: CB

School: Massillon Washington (Massillon, Ohio)

Composite Rating: ★★★★

Composite Rank: #284 (#33 CB)

Malone held 17 Division I offers entering this month, including Power Four opportunities from Ohio State, Michigan State, Auburn, Boston College, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Pitt, Purdue and West Virginia. The 6-foot, 185-pound prospect has also impressed athletically in high school, recording a 4.43-second 40-yard dash, a 215-pound bench press and a 550-pound squat.

That athleticism translated to all three phases for Massillon last season. Malone recorded 34 receptions for 498 yards on offense while adding 25 tackles, three interceptions, seven pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble on defense. He also totaled 534 return yards on 24 combined kick and punt returns and scored nine total touchdowns for the Tigers.

Malone becomes the first cornerback in Ohio State’s 2027 recruiting class. The Buckeyes are hoping to soon add two more cornerbacks to the class, as fellow in-state cornerback Monsanna Torbert Jr. visited alongside Malone this weekend while another four-star cornerback who visited Ohio State earlier this month, Jaden Carey, is scheduled to announce his commitment on Wednesday.

He also becomes the Buckeyes’ seventh defensive commitment in the cycle, joining five-star defensive end DJ Jacobs, four-star defensive end Wyatt Smith, four-star linebacker Prince Goldsby, four-star safety Eli Johnson, four-star linebacker Quinton Cypher and three-star safety Angelo Smith, the younger brother of star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.

Ohio State 2027 Football Commits (14)

Player

Pos

Ht/Wt

Stars

Natl Rank

Pos Rank

High School

DJ JACOBS

6-5 / 235

★★★★★

Blessed Trinity Catholic (Roswell, GA)