Suwanee (Ga.) North Gwinnett four-star cornerback Jordan Hancock committed to Ohio State on Sunday afternoon, a move that felt inevitable from the time he decommitted from Clemson a few days earlier.
1000% COMMITTED 🌰â•ď¸Ź
I AM A BUCKEYE FOR LIFE ❤️ pic.twitter.com/VKGkvXxDfu— jordan hancock (@jordanhancock_7) July 19, 2020
The 6-1, 171-pound Hancock is considered the sixth-best cornerback and No. 77 prospect overall in the class of 2021, as he recorded 12 pass break ups, two interceptions and one forced fumble to lead the Bulldogs to the state semifinals last fall.
The Buckeyes were considered the early favorite in Hancock’s recruitment, as he grew up rooting for the program and even had a blanket and video game control with an Ohio State logo in his bedroom. He planned to take an unofficial visit to Columbus this spring, and most prognosticators expected him to announce his commitment to the program at that time.
Before that visit could happen, though, Hancock took an unofficial visit to Clemson in early March. He pledged his services to the Tigers just a few days later, citing the campus’ proximity to his hometown and their overall focus on faith as the reasons why.
Ohio State wasn’t deterred by Hancock’s commitment, with head coach Ryan Day, defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs and linebackers coach/area recruiter Al Washington making it clear there would always be a spot for him in the class if he ever wanted to flip to the Buckeyes. That persistence paid off when he reopened his recruitment on July 14.
While schools like Alabama, Georgia and Florida State hoped Hancock would take official visits this fall before making another decision, his quick decision makes it clear he wanted to be at Ohio State all along.
Hancock becomes the 19th member of the Buckeyes’ 2021 recruiting class, joining St. Louis De Smet Jesuit four-star cornerback Jakailin Johnson, Nashville Ensworth four-star safety Andre Turrentine, Bowling Green (Ky.) South Warren four-star safety Jantzen Dunn, Scottsdale (Ariz.) Saguaro four-star cornerback Denzel Burke and Cincinnati La Salle three-star safety Jaylen Johnson in the defensive backfield. The staff hopes to add one more player in the secondary this cycle, though, with Monroeville (Pa.) Gateway four-star safety Derrick Davis the only realistic target.
It’s also worth keeping an eye on Hancock’s high school teammate, Clemson four-star linebacker target Barrett Carter. He appears solid in his commitment to the Tigers, but the two have been vocal about their desire to play together at the next level and Ohio State was one of Carter’s final schools before he picked Clemson in May.
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