Nashville, Tennessee, Christ Presbyterian Academy four-star linebacker Kane Patterson has decommitted from Ohio State, a source close to his family confirmed to Eleven Warriors. The news was first reported by 104.5 The Zone's Jason Martin, who was broadcasting the Lion's game against Ensworth on Friday night.
. @JMartZone just announced on CPA/Ensworth broadcast that Kane Patterson has de-committed from Ohio State and re-opened his recruitment.
— Chad Withrow (@withrowzone) August 25, 2018
The 6-foot-1, 225-pound Patterson committed to the Buckeyes in early July over finalists Alabama, Tennessee and Texas A&M, citing the program has "everything I want: championship, coaches and elite education."
A recent offer from Clemson and the uncertainty surrounding head coach Urban Meyer — though he was reinstated and suspended for three games earlier this week — played a role in Patterson's decision to open things back up.
It's worth noting he's the first and only prospect to decommit since wide receivers coach Zach Smith was fired last month and the university subsequently placed Meyer on paid administrative leave to conduct an investigation into his knowledge of and actions regarding the domestic abuse allegations against his former assistant.
Patterson was one of three presumed linebackers in Ohio State's Dynasty '19 recruiting class, where he joined Lexington four-star linebacker Cade Stover and Indiana four-star athlete Craig Young. Georgia four-star athlete Steele Chambers could also end up at linebacker in college, though his preference at the next level is running back.
The Buckeyes have offers out to 17 linebackers at the moment, but only one beside Patterson — St. Louis four-star Shammond Cooper — remains uncommitted. The staff will certainly look to fill the void in the class, and may look to in-state linebackers Massillon Washington three-star Jamir Thomas, Clayton Northmont three-star Jestin Jacobs (an Iowa pledge), Youngstown Cardinal Mooney three-star Luke Fulton (a Michigan State commit) or Reynoldsburg three-star Dezman Cooper in his absence.
Ohio State still holds commitments from 14 prospects from the Class of 2019, which is good for ninth in the country and still leads the Big Ten.
