Finding the right fit for your college football program isn't just about what happens on the field, but off it as well. Today, Ohio State added a key piece. How will that commitment impact the Buckeyes?
Ohio State landed a commitment this morning from one of the most physically gifted receivers in the country when Cleveland Heights four-star wide receiver Jaylen Harris picked the Buckeyes over finalists Alabama, Michigan State, Penn State and Tennessee.
Let's take a look at what Harris — the sixth-best player in the state for the Class of 2017 — brings to Columbus.
ON THE FIELD
Standing 6-foot-5 and 210 pounds, Harris towers over most defenders. He's not going to outrun anybody by any means and has to continue to work on his route-running, but his size, strength and athleticism allow him to out-jump anybody on the field.
Harris was a highly regarded basketball player early in his high school career, but football is his calling. Though the Tigers only qualified for state playoffs during his junior season, Harris stood out nonetheless. He was named first-team ALL-USA TODAY Ohio as a senior after finishing with 52 receptions for 820 yards and 8 touchdowns.
IN THE CLASS
Harris claimed all along Ohio State would make it work if he wanted to play in Columbus, but the Buckeyes weren't certain to have room for him until this week. With Tyjon Lindsey's decommitment on Wednesday, however, Harris moved from “he'd be a nice addition around signing day” to a priority target overnight.
Harris fills Lindsey's spot as the second wide receiver commit in the Class of 2017, joining Fort Lauderdale, Florida, St. Thomas Aquinas five-star Trevon Grimes. He also instantly becomes the tallest receiver on Ohio State's roster, which will be a welcome sight for starting quarterback J.T. Barrett.
Had he not picked Ohio State, Harris likely would have ended up at Michigan State. The Spartans recruit the state well and are always looking for underrated prospects either overlooked or unwanted by the Buckeyes.
THE INTANGIBLES
Ohio State offered Harris a scholarship in June 2015 but chased after and landed several other highly rated prospects in the meantime. There was never a reason nor hurry to add him to the class because the Buckeyes knew he would wait it out until National Signing Day if need be.
Harris took the recruiting process very slow as a result, though some perceived it as apathy — surely you would too if you were portrayed as a fallback option instead of a priority target.
He watched as Ohio State flirted with five-stars like Donovan Peoples-Jones, but continued to wait patiently as the Buckeyes figured out their scholarship situation. The numbers became clearer as time passed, and Harris finally made the call he wanted to all along.
