Sting Factor: Zach Harrison picks OSU over Michigan, Penn State
One of the more intriguing recruit decisions heading into the class of 2019 Early Signing Period was what direction five-star defensive end Zach Harrison would go. A trio of Big Ten programs have been battling for the Ohio native’s services throughout the last year, and on Wednesday, Harrison delivered his verdict. He's headed to Ohio State.
WHY ITS BIG FOR OHIO STATE
Ohio State fans may not be saying “Urban Meyer who?” just yet, but the concerns about whether Ryan Day can maintain the same high level of recruiting Buckeye Nation has gotten used to under Meyer and Jim Tressel before him are starting to be assuaged with the big pick-up of Harrison.
After all, under Meyer Ohio State had lost the lead for Harrison, and it was Day who authored the final recruiting pitches that kept the five-star at home. This 2019 class had fallen off the standard Ohio State had set for itself and its run at nine straight Big Ten recruiting titles was in jeopardy. The Harrison commitment, though, gives Ohio State a chance to reclaim its place atop the Big Ten team recruiting rankings as much due to the points Harrison provides as to the points he will not be providing either Michigan or Penn State.
WHICH SCHOOLS IT HURTS THE MOST
There is no silver lining in this for Michigan. The Wolverines were, by all accounts, the team to beat throughout the fall. Many segments of the Michigan fanbase had Harrison a lock for this class. But, the ripples of their 62-39 loss to Ohio State continue to have effects in recruiting. Five-star prospects want to play for championships and losing 14 of the last 15 to Ohio State does not engender confidence that Michigan is playing for championships in the near future.
This is Jim Harbaugh’s philosophy of recruiting “meritocracy,” being used against the Wolverines: if you do not playing up to the level expected, you might get dropped.
Penn State made a valiant effort to even have a chance late in this contest. They were on the outside looking in for most of the fall after starting off strong in Harrison’s recruitment. The biggest reason it hurts the Nittany Lions is because it took a lot of recruiting capital – time, energy, etc. – in order to fight their way back in with Harrison… capital that could have been used elsewhere. It also would have been a big blow to land as Penn State tries to keep Ohio State from winning their ninth straight Big Ten recruiting title, something the Buckeyes move closer to doing now with the addition of Harrison.
