Kendall Sheffield, the top-rated junior college cornerback in the country, has committed to Ohio State. He picked the Buckeyes over offers from Texas, Texas A&M, TCU and USC. ESPN National Recruiting Analyst Gerry Hamilton broke the news on Tuesday.
"After a great season at Blinn College, and an exciting recruiting process, I have decided to finish my collegiate career at The Ohio State University," Sheffield told Hamilton. "I am excited to join Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes, and look forward to helping Buckeye Nation return to the College Football Playoff."
BM!!!
— Kerry Coombs (@OsuCoachCoombs) January 10, 2017
The 6-foot, 185-pounder was an integral part of Alabama's top-rated 2015 recruiting class as a five-star prospect out of Missouri City, Texas, but abruptly transferred to Blinn College over the summer because of a reported lack of playing time. He recorded 31 tackles and two interceptions for the Buccaneers this season.
The Sheffield File
- Class: 2017
- Size: 6-foot, 185 pounds
- Pos: CB
- School: Blinn College (Brenham, TX)
- Composite Rating: ★★★★
- Composite Rank: 1 (JUCO CB)
Sheffield will have three years of eligibility remaining after being redshirted in Tuscaloosa.
Things moved rather quickly in Sheffield's recruitment, as he visited Columbus for the Nov. 26 double-overtime win over Michigan. Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer and defensive backs coach Kerry Coombs then made an in-home visit with Sheffield's parents just three days later.
Sheffield becomes the 19th member of Ohio State's 2017 recruiting class, which already includes five-star cornerbacks Jeffrey Okudah and Shaun Wade and four-stars Marcus Williamson and Amir Riep. Despite the unusually high number of defensive backs in the Class, Sheffield certainly has a chance to make his presence felt in the Buckeyes' secondary next season.
Eleven Warriors will have more on Sheffield's pledge shortly.
