Nov 4, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes helmets rest on the field before the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

The Ohio State Buckeyes took a major blow to the chances of making the College Football Playoff thanks to their Week 13 loss to Michigan. And just days later, they also took a major blow when it came to their future after five-star recruit Justin Scott de-committed from the program

Scott, the No. 7 overall recruit from the 2024 class according to 247 Sports, initially committed to Ohio State back in July. But he shockingly decided to re-open his recruitment, flipping to the University of Miami on Wednesday.

The timing of this decision certainly makes you wonder whether the Buckeyes’ loss to Michigan for the third consecutive season played any role in Scott’s decision to flip on Ohio State.

Regardless, it is a massive get for Miami. Scott is now the highest-ranked player in their 2024 recruiting class. According to Steve Wiltfong of 247 Sports, Miami now has the fifth-best recruiting class in the country.

On the flip side, it’s a pretty devastating loss for Ohio State as they look to improve for the future.

It certainly seems possible that recruits like Scott are starting to see Ohio State’s shortcomings in big games recently.

And while Ohio State will likely remain a top program moving forward, they may continue to come up just short against teams like Michigan if recruits start to follow Scott’s lead and steer clear of Ohio State.

[Hayes Fawcett on Twitter]

About Reice Shipley

Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.