Breaking down Nick Petit-Frere's commitment to Ohio State

Ohio State snagged a five-star tackle out of Florida, as Tampa-based tackle Petit-Frere spurned in-state Florida and others in favor of heading north. Petit-Frere’s Signing Day announcement was seen as a minor surprise, but that matters not at this juncture. Below, Rivals.com takes a look at how he helps the Buckeyes’ class and how his decision hurts the other involved parties.

THE SITUATION

This is a significant victory for Ohio State. The Buckeyes not only pulled Petit-Frere away from in-State Florida, but they also fended off Alabama and Notre Dame to land one of the best tackle prospects in this class. The work done by head coach Urban Meyer and his staff down the stretch can’t be overstated, as Petit-Frere’s late visit to Columbus seems to have sealed the deal. At times, Petit-Frere looked like a lock to Florida but the school’s coaching change combined with Ohio State’s recruiting efforts made for a late twist.

WHY IT'S BIG FOR OHIO STATE:

The benefits of landing a five-star tackle don’t need explained. Petit-Frere has truly elite size and the frame to add muscle as he nears his college debut. He looked impressive in this year’s Under Armour All-America game, where he, at times, overwhelmed other top-flight prospects. Winning a recruiting battle such as this is the direct result of Ohio State’s reputation for developing NFL talent, which Petit-Frere definitely possesses.

HOW IT HURTS THE SCHOOLS THAT MISSED:

Florida will absorb the brunt of this blow, as perception is that the Gators lost a five-star for which they once led. UF does not have a single five-star in the fold for 2017. And while the class isn’t weak by any stretch, Petit-Frere would have been its anchor and headliner. Losing a priority in-state target to a school located 1,000 miles away is a tough pill to choke down.