Whenever a head coach leaves a college football program, one of the first questions that always comes up is how it will affect the program's upcoming recruiting classes.
In the wake of Urban Meyer's announcement on Tuesday that he will retire as Ohio State's head coach after the Rose Bowl, however, several of Ohio State's commitments from the 2019 and 2020 class have already expressed that they remain firmly committed to the program.
One of the first commits to do so was five-star 2019 wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who is considered to be the top commit in Ohio State's 2019 class. Wilson took to Twitter on Tuesday morning to say that he is "1000% committed" to the Buckeyes.
I am 1000% committed to Ohio State University. Much love @OSUCoachMeyer
— Garrett Wilson (@GarrettWilson_V) December 4, 2018
Marcus Crowley, a running back commit for the 2019 class, quote-tweeted Wilson to affirm his commitment to the Buckeyes.
— Marcus Crowley (@marcus_2334) December 4, 2018
Dwan Mathis, Ohio State's lone quarterback commit for the 2019 class, used a popular meme featuring boxer Deontay Wilder to make his pointed that he is still committed to be a Buckeye "to this day."
People-You still committed
— DwanM (@DwanM3) December 4, 2018
Me- pic.twitter.com/jy58N6gX0f
Mathis told Eleven Warriors that he is "very excited" that Ryan Day, who built a close relationship with Mathis as Ohio State's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, will be the Buckeyes' new head coach.
Bryson Shaw, a safety commit for the 2019 class, also told Eleven Warriors that he is "still firmly committed to the program." He is disappointed that he will not have the opportunity to play for Meyer, but still excited to play for the Buckeyes, particularly with Ohio State co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Alex Grinch – who he has built a close relationship with – still on staff.
"I am still somewhat in shock and sorry that I won’t get to play for Coach Meyer," Shaw said. "He was someone I had a lot of respect for. I had idolized Coach Meyer when I was young. I had been looking forward to playing for him.
"Coach Grinch is the best," Shaw added. "I love that place and am still looking forward to making a big name for myself at OSU and help OSU win another national championship."
Jameson Williams, a wide receiver commit for the 2019 class who just had an in-home visit on Monday with Ohio State wide receivers coach Brian Hartline, tweeted that his commitment is "solid" and "100%."
Im Solid ! 100% #GoBucks
— juiceman (@1of1juiceman) December 4, 2018
Multiple commits in the 2020 class have also publicly reaffirmed their commitments to Ohio State on Tuesday morning, including highly touted quarterback Jack Miller.
100% Committed #GoBucks
— Jack Miller (@jackjamesmiller) December 4, 2018
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, a wide receiver commit for the 2020 class, told Eleven Warriors that he remains "all in with Ohio State" and is excited about playing for Day.
O-H! The train keeps moving
— Jaxon Smith-Njigba (@jaxon_smith1) December 4, 2018
"I committed to this university and I’m looking forward to playing with great players and carrying on the tradition," Smith-Njigba said. "I trust (Day), and I know he’ll get the job done and keep the tradition alive."
Not every commit, however, was ready to reaffirm their commitment on Tuesday morning. Lejond Cavazos, a defensive back commit for the 2020 class, said he had no comment when asked if he was still fully committed to playing for Ohio State, but said he still wished all the best to Meyer.
"I am very shocked about it, but I wish Coach Meyer everlasting success cause he’s a GOAT," Cavazos said. (Update: Cavazos announced his decommitment from Ohio State on Tuesday evening.)
