ORLANDO, Fla. — The Under Armour Next High School All-American game has undergone a bit of a transformation in recent years. Specifically, it’s getting younger.

Saturday’s 18th annual all-star game features 72 underclassmen from the Class of 2027. That’s up quite a bit from the 33 underclassmen in the Class of 2026 who played in last year’s game.

With more players enrolling early in college and players committing to top programs earlier to secure high-end revenue-sharing deals with NIL sweeteners, business is getting done faster.

This event used to be a showcase for seniors to make dramatic college announcements. There are only two seniors in this year’s game uncommitted: four-star defensive lineman Dylan Berymon of Monroe, La. and four-star receiver Tyren Hornes from Sarasota, Fla. Twenty-one juniors are already committed.

Here are some key takeaways from Tuesday’s media day session with players:

1. Ohio State over Miami

The nation’s biggest recruiting story this week revolves around the commitment of 2027 five-star edge rusher David Jacobs, who picked Ohio State over Miami.

It looked like the Hurricanes were the front-runner until Jacobs, the eighth-ranked player in the 247Sports Composite from Roswell (Ga.) Blessed Trinity Catholic, received the promise of a bigger financial deal from the Buckeyes. Jacobs’ representatives at Athletes First handled the deal, he said.

“Separating the programs at the end (the financial aspect) was significant, because they show how much they want you at the end,” Jacobs said in an interview with On3 in front of other media on Tuesday. “It was definitely big. Down the stretch, it was rough. The last 24 hours were hectic.”

Why did Jacobs (6-5, 237 pounds) decide to make a commitment 11 months before being able to sign with the Buckeyes?

“The time was right,” the nation’s top-ranked edge rusher said. “Going into the All-Star game, having your mind on a school you want to go to — I just did.”

Jacobs said he still plans to take visits in the spring, but he hasn’t decided where they will be yet. He said Miami told him it will continue to recruit him.

“I want to see what people do after this — what are they going to do now,” Jacobs told The Athletic. “But my eyes are fully on Ohio State.”

The Buckeyes have nine commitments in their 2027 recruiting class.

Five-star linebacker Kaden Henderson, a close friend of Jacobs from Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit High, said Jacobs’ commitment definitely “boosts up Ohio State” for him.

2. Next up for BYU’s new QB signee

Quarterback Ryder Lyons made his commitment to BYU on “The Pat McAfee Show” in June and signed with the Cougars this month.

Lyons’ next stop after a quick trip back home to Folsom, Calif.: his mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“I’ll be going to Mexico to learn Spanish for six weeks, and then I’ll be here in Orlando for a year,” Lyons said. “Pretty strict rules. No social media. But you can work out every single day, which a lot of people don’t know. I’ll train, throw. (I have a) 9:30 p.m. curfew, (and a) 6:30 a.m. wake-up every day for a whole year. I think it’ll be good for me. I’ll learn some life skills by living by myself.”