The future stars of Ohio State football officially begin their college careers, as standouts from all over the country put pens to their National Letters of Intent.
Soon after he arrived at Ohio State as the Buckeyes’ co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach in January, Alex Grinch made recruiting Bryson Shaw a priority.
The Shaw File
- Class: 2019
- Size: 6-foot-2, 175 pounds
- Pos: S
- School: Bullis School (Potomac, MD)
- Composite Rating: ★★★
- Composite Rank: 47 (S)
Eleven months later, Grinch is one of the primary reasons why Shaw has now officially signed to be a Buckeye.
A multi-sport standout at the Bullis School in Potomac, Maryland – the same high school where current Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins once starred – Shaw was once committed to play lacrosse at his home-state school of Maryland. But after deciding that he wanted to play football in college instead, Shaw originally committed to Wisconsin on Jan. 27.
Just one week later, however, Shaw received an offer from Ohio State, and Grinch began building a connection with the safety. Eventually, Shaw decided he wanted to be closer to home, and on April 28, he announced he was decommitting from the Badgers and committing to the Buckeyes instead.
Versatile. Agile. Buckeye.
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 19, 2018
Welcome to #BIA @bshaw272727!#GoBucks #Dynasty19 #NSD19 pic.twitter.com/iOhyr6eFF0
Shaw’s announcement came as an unexpected surprise to people outside the program, even those who follow Ohio State recruiting closely, as he was not expected to be among the Buckeyes’ top targets at the position. But while he isn’t one of the most highly rated players among Ohio State’s signees, he’s a promising athlete with the potential to develop into the playmaker Grinch and the Buckeyes are looking for on the back end.
He has a great combination of height and speed, and his tape shows he isn’t afraid to come downhill and make a big hit.
The 6-foot-2 safety is listed at only 175 pounds, so he’s going to need some time in Mickey Marotti’s strength and conditioning program before he’s ready to contribute for the Buckeyes. That makes him a probable candidate to redshirt in 2019.
Shaw could be a candidate to earn early playing time on special teams, but realistically, he’s a player the Buckeyes are bringing in for his long-term potential, with hopes that he can develop into a playmaker on either defense or special teams within two or three seasons.
I am pumped to finally have my dream come true and officially be a Ohio State Buckeye! I look forward to displaying my skills for The OSU football team and Buckeye Nation! I intend to make you proud! #Keepup #SpeedKills #BeTheBest #GoBucks @OhioStateFB @CoachGrinch https://t.co/8GUELhyD7b
— Bryson Shaw (@bryson_shaw2) December 19, 2018
While some players in Ohio State’s 2019 recruiting class had to reconsider their commitments after Urban Meyer announced his retirement as Ohio State’s head coach earlier this month, Shaw never wavered in his, telling Eleven Warriors on the morning of Meyer’s retirement that he was “still firmly committed to the program.”
Even though he was disappointed that he would not have the opportunity to play for Meyer, he remained steadfast in his commitment to the Buckeyes because of the relationship he has with Grinch, and the belief that he will remain at Ohio State next season and beyond.
"Coach Grinch is the best," Shaw said on Dec. 4. "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."
