Best 5-Star Wide Receiver Decommits, Commitments to Ohio State Over Alabama, Auburn, and Florida

In the world of college football recruiting, few events carry as much weight as the commitment or decommitment of a top-tier recruit. This is especially true when a five-star wide receiver, considered among the best in the nation, decides to decommit from one school and commit to another. For programs like Ohio State, Alabama, Auburn, and Florida, securing a five-star talent in a highly competitive recruiting landscape can be the difference between a championship-contending team and a middling program.

Over the past few years, Ohio State has emerged as one of the premier destinations for elite wide receivers. While Alabama, Auburn, and Florida have all been major players in the recruitment of five-star wide receivers, Ohio State’s ability to attract these top-tier players has become a defining characteristic of their recruiting prowess. This article will explore some of the best five-star wide receiver decommitments and subsequent commitments to Ohio State, and why these recruits chose Ohio State over other powerhouse programs like Alabama, Auburn, and Florida.

The Appeal of Ohio State

Before delving into specific cases, it’s important to understand why Ohio State is such a draw for top wide receiver talent. Under head coach Ryan Day, Ohio State has become an offensive juggernaut, producing dynamic, high-scoring offenses year after year. The team has developed a reputation for creating NFL-ready wide receivers, with recent alums like Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba being high draft picks in the NFL. This pipeline to the NFL is an undeniable allure for many of the nation’s top high school players.

Ohio State also plays in the Big Ten, which may not be as high-scoring as the SEC, but offers an opportunity for a wide receiver to shine in a conference that has produced some of the best college football players in history. Ohio State’s established offensive system, the ability to play for a national championship, and the chance to work with one of the top offensive minds in college football make it a highly attractive option for elite wide receivers.

The Recruiting Battle: Ohio State vs. Alabama, Auburn, and Florida

In the SEC, programs like Alabama, Auburn, and Florida are perennial powerhouses when it comes to recruiting. Alabama, led by head coach Nick Saban, has become synonymous with dominance, regularly securing top-tier recruits at almost every position, including wide receiver. Auburn, with its proximity to Alabama, competes for many of the same players, while Florida—under both Dan Mullen and now Billy Napier—has been a major player in the recruitment of elite wide receivers in the state of Florida and beyond.

Ohio State’s ability to out-recruit these SEC schools, particularly for five-star wide receivers, speaks volumes about the strength of their program. The following are some of the most notable cases where elite wide receivers decommitted from Alabama, Auburn, and Florida, only to commit to Ohio State.

1. Marvin Harrison Jr. – A Legacy Commitment to Ohio State

Marvin Harrison Jr. is one of the most highly anticipated wide receiver prospects in recent memory. The son of NFL Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, the younger Harrison was heavily recruited by both Ohio State and Alabama, two programs with a rich history of developing elite wide receivers. Harrison had initially been committed to Penn State but eventually decommitted and turned his attention to the Buckeyes.

While Alabama and Auburn also showed strong interest, Harrison’s decision came down to Ohio State’s offensive prowess, its reputation for developing wide receivers, and the opportunity to play for a national title contender. His decision to commit to Ohio State over Alabama was seen as a major victory for the Buckeyes in the recruiting battle.

Harrison’s commitment to Ohio State not only strengthened their already formidable wide receiver group but also solidified their reputation as the go-to program for wide receivers seeking to make the jump to the NFL. Harrison has since lived up to his billing, becoming one of the top wideouts in college football and a projected first-round pick in the NFL Draft.

2. Emeka Egbuka – A Top Wide Receiver Who Chose Ohio State Over Alabama and Washington

Emeka Egbuka was another five-star wide receiver who decommitted from Washington and ultimately committed to Ohio State, spurning Alabama and several other top programs in the process. Egbuka was originally committed to Washington but decommitted in 2020, opening up his recruitment. Despite offers from programs like Alabama, Auburn, and Florida, Egbuka chose Ohio State, citing the opportunity to play for an elite program and work with Ryan Day and wide receiver coach Brian Hartline.

Ohio State’s recruiting staff had already built a strong relationship with Egbuka, and the program’s history of developing wide receivers into NFL-caliber talent was a significant factor in his decision. Egbuka’s commitment was a huge win for Ohio State, as it continued its trend of bringing in top-tier wide receivers from all across the country, particularly from the West Coast, where programs like Alabama and Auburn had traditionally been more competitive.

3. Caleb Burton – A Surprising Decommitment from Ohio State, Then a Commitment to Ohio State

Caleb Burton’s recruitment was one of the more interesting stories in recent years. Initially committed to Ohio State, Burton decommitted, leaving many to wonder whether he would land with Alabama or Auburn. The decommitment sent shockwaves through the recruiting world, as many thought Burton’s ties to Ohio State would be hard to break. However, after taking visits to other schools, including Alabama and Auburn, Burton ultimately re-committed to Ohio State, once again choosing the Buckeyes over their SEC counterparts.

Burton’s decision to return to Ohio State was influenced by several factors, including the opportunity to play for a top-tier program, the relationship he built with the coaching staff, and the chance to learn from some of the best wide receivers in the nation. His commitment further solidified Ohio State’s reputation as the leading destination for five-star wide receiver recruits.

4. Noah Rogers – Ohio State’s Ability to Out-Recruit Alabama and Florida

Noah Rogers, a highly regarded wide receiver from North Carolina, was another coveted five-star prospect who chose Ohio State over Alabama and Florida. Despite significant interest from both SEC schools, Rogers ultimately felt that Ohio State’s offensive system and the chance to work with one of the best wide receiver coaches in the country, Brian Hartline, was too good to pass up.

The recruiting battle for Rogers was intense, with Alabama and Florida both vying for his signature, but Ohio State’s relationship with the player and his family, combined with the Buckeyes’ history of developing wide receivers into NFL prospects, made the difference in the end. Rogers’ commitment bolstered Ohio State’s already impressive recruiting class and showed once again that the program’s allure is hard to beat.

5. Brandon Ennis – The 2024 Five-Star Wide Receiver Who Chose Ohio State Over Alabama and Florida

Brandon Ennis, one of the top wide receivers in the 2024 recruiting class, was heavily recruited by multiple schools, including Alabama and Florida. While both programs were seen as serious contenders for Ennis’ commitment, Ohio State was able to out-recruit them by offering a combination of elite coaching, an established pipeline to the NFL, and the chance to play for a championship contender.

Ennis’ decision to commit to Ohio State is another feather in the cap for the Buckeyes, and it further cements their position as one of the top schools for wide receivers in the nation. With his combination of size, speed, and athleticism, Ennis has the potential to be an immediate contributor at Ohio State, and his decision to bypass Alabama and Florida is a testament to the Buckeyes’ growing recruiting dominance.

Conclusion

Ohio State’s ability to recruit five-star wide receivers in the face of competition from powerhouse programs like Alabama, Auburn, and Florida has been nothing short of remarkable. The program’s offensive prowess, strong coaching staff, and track record of developing players into NFL stars have made it a destination of choice for the nation’s top wide receiver prospects.

Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, Caleb Burton, Noah Rogers, and Brandon Ennis are just a few of the names who have decommitted from other programs and ultimately chosen Ohio State. Their decisions not only highlight the strength of Ohio State’s recruiting but also underscore the growing influence of the program in the ever-competitive world of college football.

As long as Ohio State continues to maintain its reputation as an elite program capable of developing wide receivers into future NFL stars, the Buckeyes will likely remain the top destination for five-star wide receiver talent, even against the fierce competition of schools like Alabama, Auburn, and Florida.