There have been rumors going on for quite some time. In spite of Jordan HancockThe March engagement to Clemson, many of those covering Ohio state recruiting felt that Ryan Day and Kerry Coombs were not yet far from the race for four-star corner services. On Sunday, that proved true, as the North Gwinnett defense decided to continue his playing career with the Buckeyes.
Things got really interesting quickly on Tuesday night, as soon after Hancock removed any evidence of his engagement to Clemson from his Twitter bio, 247Sports Recruitment Director Steve Wiltfong came up with a Crystal Ball prediction. for a return to the state of Ohio with a confidence rating of nine. Soon after, OSU insider Bill Kurelic did the same with an identical crystal ball, and from there it was clear that something was going on.
Hancock has been at the top of the Buckeyes’ target board from the start. The No. 5 corner in the nation and the No. 41 player overall in the 2021 class, the Georgia native is a great addition to the already No. 1 group in the state of Ohio. At 6 feet 1 pound, 170 pounds, Hancock’s engagement puts the 2021 class back at more than 300 points total, a mark that had fallen just after CB Devonta Smith’s release.
Here’s what 247Sports national writer Charles Power has to say about Hancock’s abilities:
Slim build and should add some size once you get to college. It became a stellar junior season against some of the nation’s toughest competitions in Georgia’s highest ranking. She has a pure coverage corner skill set with the ability to flip her hip and change direction quickly. Shows high-level ball skills when locating and tracking the ball down the field. Quickly closes in defense of the fast game. Instinctive and versatile with the ability to play multiple points within high school. He doesn’t shy away from contact and appears to be a willing tackler. Projects as a multi-year starter in high school at the Power Five level with the advantage of becoming an initial round NFL Draft pick.
Hancock becomes the sixth defensive runner to join Ohio State’s 2021 class, as Coombs was able to instantly reload his position group upon his return to Columbus. He joins four-star corners Jakailin Johnson and Denzel Burke, as well as a trio of four-star securities in Andre Turrentine, Jantzen Dunn, and Jaylen Johnson.
Hancock is the unit’s second-highest ranked, behind only Jakailin Johnson. It’s the first time the Buckeyes have hit two top-100 corners in a single class since Jeff Okudah and Shaun Wade in 2017, and that one worked pretty well! It is the first commitment for the state of Ohio since Burke’s landing on May 24, but it was worth the wait.
