Ohio State landed a long-expected commitment this evening when Bradenton, Florida, IMG Academy four-star defensive back Lejond Cavazos pledged his services to the Buckeyes during the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge in Atlanta.
C O M M I T T E D
— Lejond Cavazos (@lejondaryy) June 27, 2018
O H I O S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y
#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/CEDFZeiQQN
The Cavazos File
- Class: 2020
- Size: 6-foot, 186 pounds
- Pos: CB
- School: IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL)
- Composite Rating: ★★★★
- Composite Rank: 10 (S)
“Ohio State has everything I need to be great,” Cavazos told Eleven Warriors, noting the program’s emphasis on life after football was a key factor in his decision.
The 6-foot, 186-pound Cavazos — whose first name is pronounced "lej-end" — is considered the 10th-best safety and No. 197 prospect overall in the Class of 2020, though he'll play cornerback at the next level. He picked Ohio State over finalists Alabama, Georgia, LSU and Oregon.
Cavazos’ father, C.J., has known head coach Urban Meyer for nearly 20 years, so it came as no surprise when the Buckeyes offered his son during their first visit to campus for last year’s Spring Game. He became just the third prospect from his cycle to hold such a distinction.
“It means a lot, especially because it's DBU,” Cavazos said at the time.
In the months thereafter, Cavazos built a strong relationship with Meyer and defensive coordinator Greg Schiano. He reached out to them at least once a week and made it clear Ohio State was his leader early in the process.
“I would say that this is the best relationship with any college I have by far,” Cavazos said.
Cavazos — who originally hails from Cibolo, Texas — returned to Columbus for the Buckeyes’ thrilling 39-38 win over Penn State, and got to see first-hand what it was like to be a member of the team. He went through the pregame walkthrough and stood in the locker room as the coaches gave their halftime speech, sparking the 18-point comeback.
“It was a crazy atmosphere,” Cavazos said. “I loved it!”
Cavazos returned for this year’s Spring Game in mid-April, where he hung out with four-star offensive tackle commit Jake Wray and four-star quarterback target Jack Miller III. He also met with co-defensive coordinator/safeties coach Alex Grinch for the first time and was reunited with family friend and new cornerbacks coach Taver Johnson.
“It went great — expect for them spicy wings I got,” Cavazos said with a laugh. “We weren’t really talking about football. It was more of getting to know each other and learn more about each other than we already know.”
Cavazos returned to campus for a one-day camp earlier this month, a trip on which he was accompanied by his parents and older sister. That visit preceded a pair of unofficial visits to Georgia and Oregon, but solidified Ohio State’s standing as he headed toward this evening’s decision.
Cavazos becomes just the second member of Ohio State’s 2020 recruiting class, joining the aforementioned Wray.
