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Bill Belichick poaches away key Ohio State commitment, and where he comes from makes it even worse
Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Ohio State Buckeyes, for being the National Champions, aren't recruiting as well as you would think for the 2026 class. Sure, they are not doing badly at all, considering their class is ranked in the top 10 by most recruiting sites, but they could be better.

When you win a National Championship, and you are the brand that Ohio State is, with the resources they have when it comes to football, it should be possible to have a top-five or even top-three class every single season. But that's not realistic, not in today's crazy world of college football.

And a large reason is because of the NIL era and transfer portal. Yes, other schools can offer more money, and things of that nature. But also, this new era of college football has seen recruits flip more than ever, and the Buckeyes have already experienced that for their 2026 class. And, this one likely isn't even because of money, but coaching instead.

Ohio State loses Jakob Witherspoon to ACC team

Jakob Weatherspoon was once a defensive back who planned on going to Ohio State, and actually committed to the Buckeyes, verbally, of course. Now, he's just a four-star athlete from Avon, Ohio, who chose not to go to his hometown school when given the chance. Instead, he's flipped to North Carolina.

Witherspoon is a top prospect in the 2026 recruiting class, as the 5'11", 180-pound defensive back, who can play cornerback, slot, or safety, initially committed to Ohio State on January 2, but flipped to North Carolina on July 16. A standout at Avon High School, he helped the Eagles go 16-0 and win a state championship in 2024, earning first-team All-Ohio honors. 

Weatherspoon chose Ohio State over offers from Penn State, Oregon, Notre Dame, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Well, that's who he initially chose over. He visited Columbus for several games and was a guy that most considered to be an absolute lock for the Buckeyes, considering where he is from.

Now committed to North Carolina, he's hoping to be coached by a former NFL head coach, and maybe the greatest head coach of all time, in former New England Patriots HC Bill Belichick. 

He’s ranked No. 172 overall and No. 9 among athletes by On3, and No. 9 in Ohio by 247Sports. This one has to hurt for the Buckeyes.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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