Massive BOOOOM! Ohio State flips four-star cornerback Jordan Hancock from Clemson

There have been rumblings ongoing for quite some time now. Despite Jordan Hancock’s March commitment to Clemson, many that cover Ohio State recruiting felt like Ryan Day and Kerry Coombs were still nowhere near out of the running for the four-star corner’s services. On Sunday, that was proven true, as the North Gwinnett defensive back chose to continue his playing career with the Buckeyes.

Things got interesting real fast on Tuesday night, as shortly after Hancock removed any evidence of his Clemson commitment from his Twitter bio, 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong submitted a Crystal Ball prediction for a flip to Ohio State with a confidence rating of nine. Shortly thereafter, OSU insider Bill Kurelic followed suit with an identical Crystal Ball of his own, and from there it was clear that something was up.

Hancock has been at the top of the Buckeyes’ target board pretty much since the beginning. The No. 5 corner in the nation and No. 41 overall player in the 2021 class, the Georgia native is a huge addition to Ohio State’s already No. 1-ranked group. At 6-foot-1, 170 pounds, Hancock’s commitment puts the 2021 class back over 300 total points — a mark they had fallen just under after the decommitment of CB Devonta Smith.

Here is what 247Sports national writer Charles Power has to say of Hancock’s abilities:

Thin build and should add some size once he gets to college. Turned in a stellar junior season against some of the nation’s toughest competition in Georgia’s highest classification. Has a pure cover corner skill set with the ability to flip his hip and change direction quickly. Shows high-level ball skills as he locates and tracks the ball downfield. Closes quickly in defending the quick game. Instinctive and versatile with the ability to play multiple spots within the secondary. Doesn’t shy away from contact and looks to be a willing tackler. Projects as a multi-year starter in the secondary at the Power Five level with the upside of developing into an early round NFL Draft pick.

Hancock becomes the sixth defensive back to join Ohio State’s 2021 class, as Coombs has been 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 safeties in Andre Turrentine, Jantzen Dunn and Jaylen Johnson.

Hancock is the second-highest rated of the unit, trailing only Jakailin Johnson. It is the first time the Buckeyes have landed two top-100 corners in a single class since Jeff Okudah and Shaun Wade in 2017 — and that one worked out pretty well! It is the first commitment for Ohio State since landing Burke on May 24, but boy was this one worth the wait.