Josh Jenkins De-Commits from WVA

While the press continues to harp on the problems that The Rod's hire created for Ohio State - namely the Pryor recruitment and Les Miles staying at LSU - there has been at least one clear positive. The fallout from The Rod's slimy exit from Morgantown continued as top O-Line prospect Josh Jenkins de-committed from the Mountaineers.

Jenkins, one of the most highly decorated players in West Virginia high school football history, had been committed since the end of his junior year. Despite having an extremely good relationship with the Ohio State staff and the incoming class, Jenkins was clearly struggling with his obligation to stay in-state. While OSU fans may brush this off, one need only look to the reaction of players that left Ohio to understand the possible consequences of Jenkins leaving.

Though Jenkins may have eventually have ended up at another school, the fiasco with The Rod provides ample cover to reopen his recruitment. The Buckeyes now appear poised to grab the coveted fourth member of "Block O", completing the school's most impressive offensive line class in recent memory. However, Florida State is still in the mix, and Jenkins mentioned that he would speak with coaches from Penn State and Pittsburgh. West Virginia remains a possibility, depending on the incoming coach.

Anyone who has read the blog during the season knows that I had my doubts that Jenkins would ever make it to Columbus. Possibly jaded by the Anthony Davis experience of 2007, it seemed like the pressure to stay at home would be too much too overcome. At this point, OSU has to be the favorite to land his service. Jenkins provides a critical inside presence to the line class, a true guard to join Mike Adams and J.B. Shugarts and tackle. Mike Brewster appears talented enough to play any of the five line positions in college, though many believe his ultimate destination is center.

Jenkins is rated as a 4-star by Rivals, just outside the top 100 at #104. He is the 5-star in the Scout system, listed as the #1 guard in the country.