Douglas decommits from Penn State

MORE: Penn State hit hard

The sanctions handed down by the NCAA against the Penn State football program were undoubtedly going to have adverse affects to the Nittany Lions' recruiting efforts.

The fallout begin almost immediately with the decommitment of four-star Avon, Ohio cornerback Ross Douglas.

"Today is a tough day and it just started," Douglas commented Monday morning.

The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Douglas was one of six four-star commitments on Penn State's commitment list before the sanctions were handed down by the NCAA on Monday morning. The writing was on the wall that the penalties would be severe before Monday, however, and Douglas and his family were prepared for that eventuality.

"It was something we decided before (the NCAA's announcement) because my family saw it coming," Douglas said. "We prepared ourselves for it, and today was just the icing on the cake. I love Penn State to death, but I have to do what's best for me and I'm going to look elsewhere."

Douglas started making plans for moving in a different direction last week, and took an unofficial visit to Nebraska on Friday.

"All the coaches were on vacation when I called and told them I wanted to come up for a visit," Douglas said. "Every coach came out of their vacation time and came through to meet me. It was a very thorough eight-hour visit. They covered everything you could possibly think of."

Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State were three schools under consideration for Ross before he made his commitment to Penn State back in February, but Douglas said he has not heard from those specific schools yet. Several other programs have inquired to Douglas' interest in the last few days, however.

"There have been about eight coaches that have contacted me since I decommitted," Douglas said. "The only visit besides Nebraska last week that my family has set in stone is this Wisconsin visit. I'll be open (to more visits), I just don't know when I will have time. Maybe I'll have to take official visits … we'll see."

Douglas has an unofficial visit set up with Wisconsin for this coming Saturday and looks forward to seeing Madison.

"I know they have great tradition and I just really want to hear what they have to say," Douglas said.

In the immediate aftermath of his decommitment and visit to Nebraska, Douglas said there is no new leader for his services. He would, however, like to have his decision made within the next month.

"I would like to have it done before my first game starts on August 24," he said. "If that doesn't happen, then it will be shortly after, but I do want to wrap this up quickly."

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