Touted 2027 linebacker Jake Godfree talks Ohio State, James Laurinaitis

ATLANTA – Lawrenceville (Ga.) North Gwinnett has become somewhat of a pipeline program for the Buckeyes in the state of Georgia. Ohio State signed cornerback Jordan Hancock out of North Gwinnett in the 2021 class and defensive tackle Kayden McDonald in the 2023 class.

The Buckeyes next target at North Gwinnett is 2027 linebacker Jake Godfree. Ohio State offered the 6-foot, 200-pound Godfree after a strong camp performance last summer. He has been steadily been building his relationship with linebackers coach James Laurinaitis since then.

“I think it was really neat going up there and just getting to see the campus and getting to work with Coach Larrinaitis,” Godfree told Lettermen Row. “I really like Coach Larrinaitis because, I mean, he’s played in the league for eight years and just being able to learn from him, learn from the coaches there, that have a lot of experience coaching.

“And just seeing the community and the culture that they have there was really neat.”

Godfree was in Columbus for the Buckeyes 35-7 win over Iowa on Oct. 5. He was impressed by Ohio State fanbase and the atmosphere by the inside the ‘Shoe.

The highlight of his visit, however, was Jordan Hancock hauling in the game-winning interception.

“The game was really amazing to go to,” Godfree said. “Just to be able to see the horseshoe and everything, get to see the 100,000 fans that are there, and just the atmosphere was insane. There were times where, I mean, we couldn’t even hear each other speak, because it was just so loud. Getting to see a North Gwinnett alumni get the pick to win the game was also really neat.

“And going to the locker room after and just seeing Ryan Day coach them up and hype them up, it was really neat.”

Godfree enjoys catching by with the aforementioned Hancock and Kayden McDonald whenever he visits Ohio State.

“So when I went up there for the camp, I got to see Kayden and Jordan,” Godfree said. “Jordan, actually, gave me a pair of gloves when I went up there, so that was pretty cool.”

“And then when I went to the game, we got to go in the locker room and I talked to both of them, and it was really neat what they had to say and everything.””

Godfree had 129 total tackles and 75 solo tackles in 13 games, as a sophomore. He also had 19 tackles for loss, six sacks and two interceptions.

The post Touted 2027 linebacker Jake Godfree talks Ohio State, James Laurinaitis appeared first on On3.