The Hurry-Up: Analyzing the Impact of Quinn Ewers’ Reclassification, Jaheim Singletary’s Decommitment on Ohio State's 2022 Recruiting Class

By Garrick Hodge on August 2, 2021 at 7:00 pm
Quinn Ewers
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Hope everybody is enjoying Quinn Ewers day at Eleven Warriors.

If you haven’t seen them already, some great analysis pieces about the highest-rated recruit in Ohio State history’s decision to reclassify to 2021 have already been written by both Dan and Colin.

But what could this mean from a broader perspective for Ohio State’s future recruiting classes? 

Of course, Ohio State has to prepare for the possibility that at least one, if not more, of the four scholarship quarterbacks (C.J. Stroud, Jack Miller, Kyle McCord and Ewers) on OSU’s roster will transfer after the season if they don't win the starting job this year. The possibility remains the same even if one of those names wins the job initially but sees where he stands with OSU long-term if an in-season change is made, similar to Kelly Bryant bolting Clemson for Mizzou the season after Trevor Lawrence cemented himself as the Tigers’ quarterback of the future.  

Naturally, if that happens, that would mean the Buckeyes are going to need to add depth at quarterback for 2022. Easier said than done. Ryan Day and the rest of the staff will obviously try, but good luck convincing an elite high school senior to potentially sit two years behind Ewers with a chance of starting in his third year at OSU. The best bet might be to find a quarterback from Ohio that has always dreamed of being a Buckeye, or just wait until after the season and hit the transfer portal to supplement the quarterback room for next year. 

Had Ewers stayed on his original timeline, OSU likely would have put more of an emphasis on finding an elite quarterback in 2024 rather than 2023. Now, it’s likely going to need to grab one in 2023 as the heir apparent to Ewers.

One elite 2023 option is seemingly off the table with Malachi Nelson already committed to Oklahoma. The two other five-stars in the cycle are Arch Manning (it would be shocking if he doesn't go to a Southern school but hey, never hurts to dream) and Dante Moore, the latter of whom OSU has extended an offer to. Other top-10 quarterbacks in the 2023 class with Ohio State offers include Dylan Lonergan and Nicholaus Iamaleava. 

Regardless of Ewers’ timeline change, there is mutual interest on both ends from 2024 prospect Jadyn Davis and OSU. It’s possible more names in the 2023 class come up with a connection to OSU in the coming weeks. 

Who knows how close Ewers really is to becoming a millionaire from name, image and likeness endorsements deals before he ever takes a snap at Ohio State like Pete Thamel of Yahoo Sports reported last week, but only one thing about this Ewers saga seems certain. Regardless of how accurate that approximate $1 million figure is, you can bet Day and company are going to use that pitch to every 2022, 2023 and 2024 quarterback recruit that walks into Columbus. You know Alabama is probably going to do something similar.

Seeing the process play out of OSU trying to find the successor for the winner of the 2021 quarterback competition may be more fascinating than this year’s quarterback controversy itself. Okay, that’s probably not true, but it will still be interesting.

Impact of Singletary's decommitment

Ohio State's recruiting class of 2022 also lost a five-star prospect on Sunday when cornerback Jaheim Singletary decommitted from Ohio State. Following the departure of the fifth-rated cornerback in 247Sports’ composite rankings, OSU now has four defensive backs commits for 2022: four-star cornerback Terrance Brooks, four-star cornerback Jyaire Brown, three-star cornerback Ryan Turner and three-star athlete Kye Stokes.

The Buckeyes still remain in pursuit of defensive backs Zion Branch and Xavier Nwankpa, but those two profile more as safeties than corners. While OSU could try to add another cornerback, it's probably best served only taking an elite player, and there aren’t too many of those options left for 2022 anyway.

Not counting Singletary, only two of the top 11 corners in the class are uncommitted: Denver Harris and Gentry Williams. Harris is projected by 247Sports to land in Texas, while Williams hasn’t even been connected to the Buckeyes. They could hope to flip a top cornerback like Domani Jackson (USC) or Will Johnson (Michigan) if either program they gave their verbal to has a disastrous season, but that could be a long shot.

A silver lining if another elite cornerback is not signed, Singletary decommitting could actually help the pursuit of 2023 five-star cornerback AJ Harris, as it would give him an easier path to early playing time.

Lockwood, White release Top 4

A pair of key targets for Ohio State in their respective classes included the Buckeyes in their final fours over the weekend. 

2023 tight end Ty Lockwood, the 98th-ranked player and fifth-highest-ranked tight end in the class, visited OSU’s Buckeye Bash BBQ on Thursday and announced his top four two days later. In addition to OSU, Lockwood is considering Penn State, South Carolina and Florida State. 

When Eleven Warriors caught up with Lockwood on July 18, he said his June visit to Columbus was “one of his best visits, easily,” and that OSU was “definitely in his top three.” The junior also said he’d make a decision after this season, but it’s entirely possible he makes a commitment sooner than that.  

Lockwood averaged 14.1 yards per catch in his sophomore season for Independence High School (Thompson’s Station, Tennessee). The 6-foot-5, 225-pound tight end also had 43 receptions for 606 yards and three touchdowns.

Meanwhile, 2022 defensive lineman Enai White is down to Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia and Texas A&M.

The No. 35 overall prospect and No. 3 edge rusher in the class of 2022, White told 247Sports OSU remains high on his list because of defensive line coach Larry Johnson. Yes, it’s echoing the same thing practically every other defensive line recruit has said, but it speaks volumes to Johnson’s reputation. 

​​In an interview with Rivals in May, White said he hopes to make his commitment before the start of his senior season, with the caveat that he will hold off if he still isn’t certain where he wants to go.

Nichols is Tennessee-bound

One of Ohio State's top offensive line targets in the 2022 recruiting class is off the board.

Addison Nichols, the 103rd-rated player and the third-best interior offensive lineman in the class, announced his commitment to Tennessee over finalists Ohio State and North Carolina on Monday. The 6-foot-5, 318-pound lineman from Georgia has plenty of ties to the Vols, considering Knoxville is where his grandparents reside and Tennessee is his mother’s alma mater.

With Nichols picking Tennessee, OSU will continue to be aggressive in pursuing Kam Dewberry and Earnest Greene after already landing commitments from George Fitzpatrick and Tegra Tshabola. Ohio State would like to take four offensive linemen in 2022 if possible. Dayton resident Aamil Wagner also appears to still be in the mix, as he tweeted out an official scholarship offer from the Buckeyes on Sunday.

Early picks Florida State

Another offensive lineman who made an official visit to Ohio State in June also committed elsewhere on Monday. Jaylen Early, a 6-foot-4, 320-pound offensive lineman from Duncanville, Texas, announced his pledge to Florida State.

Early, the 199th-ranked player in the 2022 class and the 11th-best interior lineman, visited the Buckeyes on June 11 and also visited Texas Tech and Texas A&M before choosing the Seminoles.

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