Former Ohio State commitment admits why he flipped to the Oregon Ducks on signing day instead of teaming up with Jeremiah Smith
The Buckeyes wanted him in the class or 2024 but he ended up with their Big Ten rival.
When Oregon joined the Big Ten, it was clear they would be a force for the Ohio State Buckeyes to contend with. That proved true in its first season in the conference. The Ducks won the league and didn’t lose until the College Football Playoff, when Ohio State beat them.
The Ducks will continue to be a problem for the Buckeyes — and not just on the field, but on the recruiting trail as well.
Back on signing day for the class of 2024, Ohio State lost one of its top commitments when he flipped to Oregon. Now, that wide receiver has opened up on why he chose to play for Dan Lanning instead of Ryan Day.
“It was basically just the connection that Coach Lanning and the staff have here,” Oregon WR Jeremiah McClellan said, via Oregon Ducks on SI. “I really just didn’t feel like I had that connection at Ohio State. So the connection I have here, and the way Coach Lanning and Coach Terry, Coach Stein, and the guys that recruited me — it just felt like family here.”
McClellan was the No. 65 overall player and No. 14 wide receiver in the class of 2024, according to the 247Sports Composite. He committed to Ohio State in August 2023 but flipped to the Ducks in December of the same year.
Of course, the class of 2024 was also when Ohio State brought in Jeremiah Smith, the No. 1 player in the country, as well as five-star wideout Mylan Graham.
As a true freshman, McClellan caught three passes for 24 yards and played in four games. As a sophomore, the Missouri native is expected to provide depth for the Ducks and could be the fourth or fifth receiver in the rotation.
When it comes to McClellan not ending up in Columbus, sometimes commitments just don’t work out — and that’s okay. There were no bitter feelings from the Buckeyes, and McClellan is confident in his choice to play for the Ducks.
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