Buckeyes 2021 DB commit opts back into senior season, 2022 commit earns invite to All-American Bowl

Tomorrow marks two weeks until the official start of the 2020 season, when Nebraska will come into The Horseshoe to take on Ohio State in the Big Ten opener. Sure, there is still work to be done on the field in preparation for the upcoming schedule, but the staff has to be pleased with where this roster is currently at — especially considering just a few weeks ago they didn’t know when they would or if they would play a 2020 football season.

With that now in the rear-view mirror, Ryan Day and his crew are doing everything can to ensure this season to be a special one. Knowing how talented they are at virtually every spot on the field, Ohio State is poised for another title contending season. As the 24th gets closer and closer, the anticipation continues to grow. All you can do is be thankful that this group of Buckeyes is actually going to take the field and do so very soon.

Hancock back in it for 2020

In this current COVID-19 climate, it has become common to see players “opting out” of their seasons at both the high school and collegiate level. Some guys have chose to do so to prevent catching the illness itself, and others are choosing get ready for the next level of football — whether that be top recruits preparing for college or the best players in college prepping for the NFL.

In regards to Ohio State’s current players, they’ve been fortunate enough to return every single member they have on their roster even after Shaun Wade and Wyatt Davis were thought to be gone when the season looked like it was done for. The team has preached that it’s because of their brotherhood and culture within the program itself, and that is proving to be the case.

When looking at the Buckeyes’ recruits in the 2021 class, four-star defensive back Jordan Hancock (Suwanee, Georgia/North Gwinnett) originally took the opt-out route to prepare for his college career, and also to prevent catching COVID, as both of his parents have pre-existing health concerns. However, yesterday news surfaced that Hancock had rescinded his original plan and opted back into his senior campaign thanks to a joint decision by his entire family.

Obviously huge news for his high school program, who will be be thrilled to have Hancock back on the field, it is also a boost for Ohio State, as the more real-time game reps Hancock can have before getting to Columbus only further helps him along in his development.

Ranked as the No. 4 corner in the 2021 class and the 66th-best player overall according to the 247Sports Composite, Hancock has stated that he is already putting on weight and getting stronger so he can make the biggest impact possible when he gets to Ohio State’s campus. Now that his prep career is back intact, look for Hancock to continue to prove why he is so highly regarded as one of the best true cornerbacks in the country.

In addition to playing this fall, Hancock also plans on playing in the All-American Bowl this coming January, which gives him the chance to continue developing his game not only in his senior season against Georgia prep talent, but against some of the nation’s very best as well.

Captain Buckeye receives post-season honor

Ohio State’s 2022 class is already loaded with incredible guys both on and off the field. A trend that is being set under Ryan Day and his staff, the Buckeyes really are recruiting elite players who are also great people — which is a compliment to how this staff goes about their business.

In the next cycle, in-state outside linebacker C.J. Hicks is everything the Buckeyes want. Crowned as “Captain Buckeye” of the 2022 class, Hicks is the clear vocal leader in the cycle as he has been doing everything he can and more to do his own bit of recruiting to help the cause. Fortunately for Ohio State, his hard work is paying off big time, as it seems every top national recruit the Buckeyes are in on is aware of Hicks and his efforts.

The Dayton, Ohio native is an incredible talent who does it all for his Kettering Alter squad. On both defense and offense, Hicks is the go-to guy to get the job done, and he is being recognized for his stellar play. Yesterday, per his Twitter account, Hicks announced that he had been given the opportunity to play in the All-American Bowl, which of course is a prestigious honor some of the best players in the country receive as the way to end out their prep careers. With many of Ohio State’s recruits playing in this game over the years, it’s always been fun to get a glimpse of what the Buckeyes are getting when these elite players from all over the nation go head to head.

Another accolade in the long list for Hicks, Ohio State’s staff has to be proud that one the main leaders of their 2022 class is continuing to represent both himself and the program very well. Ranked currently by 247Sports as the second-best player in Ohio, the third-best at his position, and the No. 71 player overall in the country, Hicks is the real deal, and will have a litany of opportunities for exposure.

The future of Ohio State football is in very good hands with guys like Hicks in the fold.

Quick Hits:

• Per Bill Kurelic of Bucknuts.com, the nation’s top offensive tackle prospect in the country for 2022, Gunner Givens (Daleville, Virginia/ Lord Botetourt), has “very high” interest in Ohio State. With the offensive tackle spot being a huge priority in the next cycle, the Buckeyes would love nothing more to steal the five-star prospect out of Virginia and bring him to Columbus. As it stands, Givens is the No. 1 OT in the class, and the No. 21 overall player in 2022 per the 247Sports Composite.