2020 IMG Academy DB Lejond Cavazos Decommits From Ohio State

Ohio State suffered its first decommitment in recruiting Tuesday, in the wake of head coach Urban Meyer‘s retirement, when Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy four-star defensive back Lejond Cavazos took to Twitter and dropped from the Buckeyes’ 2020 class.

“First off, I would like to start by thanking Coach Urban Meyer and the rest of his staff for believing in me and giving me an opportunity to play the sport I love at the next level,” Cavazos’ tweet read. “Playing for Coach Meyer has always been a dream of mine that I always wanted to fulfill. I wish him nothing but the best and everlasting success. I would also like to thank Buckeye Nation for supporting me throughout my junior season. This has been put into consideration a couple of times and most definitely wasn’t an easy decision to make. But with God, my family, and friends, I would like to announce that I am de-committing from The Ohio State University. tOSU will remain a top school of mine, but I feel like I need to explore my options and take a closer look at other Universities. Please respect my decision as this was not an easy choice for me to make.”

Please respect my decision… pic.twitter.com/xU3YyIcqkE

— Lejond Cavazos (@lejondaryy) December 4, 2018

Cavazos’ decision comes less than two weeks after he and his family were on campus. They unofficially visited OSU for its 62-39 rout of Michigan on Nov. 24, returning to Columbus for the first time in over five months. The trip was necessary on both sides after Cavazos unofficially visited Georgia for its 27-10 win over Auburn on Nov. 10.

The 6-0, 186-pounder committed to OSU on June 27 as the second member of its 2020 class with Marietta, Ga., four-star offensive tackle Jake Wray. Cavazos chose Ohio State over Georgia and Oregon, among others, after he and his family came to Columbus for the Buckeyes’ second one-day position camp of the summer on June 12.

Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy 2020 safety Lejond Cavazos backpedals and changes direction sharply under cornerbacks coach Taver Johnson’s guidance as head coach Urban Meyer, defensive coordinator Greg Schiano and director of player personnel Mark Pantoni watch from nearby. pic.twitter.com/iymqqrss0p

— Garrett Stepien (@GarrettStepien) June 12, 2018

A workout in front of Meyer and OSU’s coaching staff, from defensive coordinator Greg Schiano to cornerbacks coach Taver Johnson and director of player personnel Mark Pantoni, manifested into a two-day unofficial visit where Cavazos was given an in-depth look into the program as he and his family toured the Woody Hayes Athletic Center’s team facilities. Cavazos subsequently took trips to Georgia and Oregon before he announced his decision at the Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge inside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Cavazos could consider Ohio State, which he said would “remain a top school,” as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Ryan Day takes over. In the Buckeyes’ 2020 class, Scottsdale (Ariz.) Chaparral four-star quarterback Jack Miller and Rockwall, Texas, four-star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba publicly announced Tuesday that they remain firm to their commitments.

OSU’s group for next year is down to six members. Its class includes Wray, Miller, Smith-Njigba, Cincinnati St. Xavier five-star offensive tackle Paris Johnson, Montvale (N.J.) St. Joseph Regional four-star center Luke Wypler and Scottsdale (Ariz.) Chaparral four-star running back Darvon Hubbard.