Defensive tackle Justin Scott flips from Ohio State to Miami
COLUMBUS — Ohio State had serious defensive line momentum heading into December, but something had to give.
Five-star Chicago (Ill) St. Ignatius defensive tackle Justin Scott has flipped from Ohio State to Miami. Scott was committed to the Buckeyes since July and was the second-highest-rated pledge in the Buckeyes 2024 class.
“From the first time they offered me to now they have never changed. Even when I committed they still recruited me and emphasized the need for my position there,” Scott told On3. “I’ve built so many strong relationships there as well with everybody on the staff.”
When Scott, the No. 2 defensive lineman and the No. 10 overall prospect per On3, committed to Ohio State on that July day, it was one of the biggest surprises in the 2024 cycle. Scott made official visits to Notre Dame, Michigan and Miami and was ready to commit to all three.
But something about Ohio State was different. Larry Johnson.
“He has a plan for me,” Scott told On3 once he committed. “Coach Larry J sat down with me and my family, pulled out the plans he has for me for my freshman, sophomore and junior year. He looked me in the eyes and told me that if I’m not out of that school in three years, he did something wrong. Him being the greatest, I believe it.”
Scott was one of the most instrumental pieces to the Buckeyes’ defensive class. He and five-star Buford (Ga) EDGE Eddrick Houston highlighted an impressive front seven for defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. Even Ryan Day was involved in the recruitment, which is always significant.
“From the jump, my mom already liked Ohio State. And she liked Coach Day a lot. But really her top two were Ohio State and Michigan, and she liked Notre Dame, too,” he said. “When I told her I was trying to branch out a little bit from home, it really came down to Michigan and Ohio State.”
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Miami entered the back of Scott’s mind a few weeks ago, however, He had doubts about his commitment to the Buckeyes. He elaborated with On3’s Chad Simmons.
“Miami never went away,” he told On3. “Even after I committed to Ohio State, Miami stayed in the back of my mind. I started talking to the Miami coaches again a couple of weeks ago, and after having a talk with my mom, I made the decision to flip to Miami. I have known for about a week. Once I had that talk with my mom to let her know how I felt and found out she was OK with my decision, then I knew.”
Ohio State still holds the No. 2 class in the On3 Team Industry Rankings. The search for more defensive linemen is already underway for Day, Knowles, Johnson and the entire scouting department.
Justin Scott’s decommitment certainly hurts as the early signing period is less than three weeks away. There isn’t much time for the Buckeyes to find his replacement, but they have no choice.
