Top 2021 prospects weigh in on Big Ten’s decision

On Tuesday, the Big Ten officially voted to postpone the 2020 college football season until spring. And if you’re sitting there with a million questions swirling around in your head, or if you’re seeking some sort of explanation at the very least, that’s because the conference has given us zero answers or solid reasoning behind their decision.

They basically dropped the bomb, hung up, and listened.

It’s astonishing how the B1G came to this monumental, earth-shattering decision, without a single game plan. Without a single answer to the following questions:

How would a spring season work?

What does this mean for players’ eligibility?

If you play in the spring, how do schools honor every current scholarship while adding new classes to the mix?

The NCAA extended its dead period through Sept. 30, but beyond that, what’s the new timeline for in-person visits and signing periods for recruits?

If all of this uncertainty and vague leadership continues, top recruits WILL take notice, and they’re not going to commit to a school/conference that doesn’t have a return-to-play plan.

To find out where these top recruits’ minds are at, Bill Kurelic of Bucknuts caught up with two of Ohio State’s biggest 2021 commits— five-star defensive end Jack Sawyer and high four-star linebacker Reid Carrico— as well as five-star Ohio State wide receiver target Emeka Egbuka.

Sawyer: “I think (the Big Ten’s decision) is crazy. It’s going to be interesting to say the least.”

Carrico: “I think it’s terrible all around. What some people are forgetting is all the seniors not just at Ohio State but throughout the Big 10, Pac 12, and the MAC. Some of those guys, this was their last shot to prove they can go to the NFL and get paid to do something they love.”

Carrico also went on to say that he’s confused as to why the Big Ten, which is predominantly in the Midwest— where the cases are much lower than anywhere else in the country—decided to cancel for the “players’ safety.” Meanwhile, the SEC, the ACC and all the schools down south—where the case numbers are “through the roof”— have figured out how to play.

“I’m not saying the SEC and ACC shouldn’t play because the Big Ten isn’t. I salute them because they’re going to play ball and I think the Big Ten should too,” he said.

And last but certainly not least...

Egbuka (via 247Sports West Coast insider Brandon Huffman): “This won’t affect my decision at all.”

Egbuka, the nation’s No. 1 wide receiver, is still deciding between his final four of Clemson, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Washington. He plans on visiting Oklahoma on Aug. 21, as it is the only school he has yet to visit. After that, he should be ready to announce his decision date, writes Huffman.

“I don’t have a time frame yet but I think after I’m able to visit Oklahoma, I will have a better idea of where I am at,” said Egbuka.

As for his last season of high school, Egbuka told Huffman that he will likely return for his senior year at Steilacoom.

”It’s important to come back and play my last season,” Egbuka said. “I haven’t gotten a ring and I’ve been playing with my lifelong friends and I’m looking forward to playing with them one last time.”

Quick Hits

• Ohio State 2021 commits, four-star defensive tackle Mike Hall and three-star safety Jaylen Johnson, took to Twitter to tell Buckeye fans that they have “something crazy coming soon.”

The always reliable minds on Twitter have alluded to Ohio-native three-star defensive end Darryl Peterson changing his commitment from Wisconsin to Ohio State. This news comes almost immediately after four-star defensive end Tunmise Adeleye de-committed from Ohio State to explore other options.

• Gotta love the confidence from Ohio State’s 2021 commits.