First-year Ohio State Buckeyes receivers coach Cortez Hankton nabbed his first recruit for the 2027 cycle, nabbing 3-star Oviedo (FL) WR Jordan Donahoo. Bucknuts' Garrick Hodge shared clear relief on Ohio State fans' behalf for finally seeing Hankton land a recruit for the next class.
Per Hodge, "While Hankton got off to a great start by building a strong relationship with five-star 2027 commit Jamier Brown when Hankton arrived on campus, it was evident he needed to add to that room in the current cycle."
Some are relieved that Hankton finally did the thing. Others are misguided in being underwhelmed at the addition of an FHSAA Class 6A, District 4 prospect in the Orlando metro. Regardless of where you fall, though, there's a reality that cannot be denied: the shadow Hankton is in is a giant one.
Brian Hartline left his replacement with a tough job
Brian Hartline left for a head coaching job with the USF Bulls in December, which is a natural progression from being the long-time receivers coach and offensive coordinator, the latter role of which was an on-and-off one at OSU. There are no truly hard feelings, even if some gave Hartline grief for his play-calling during his final season and ill-timed departure right before the postseason. Right now, though, there are tough lessons being learned.
Hartline's legacy at receiver in Central Ohio is legendary. He parlayed his own playing career into an NFL fortune. He found some of the great modern receivers in the NFL, like Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Emeka Egbuka, Terry McLaurin, and Garrett Wilson, to name just a few.
Hartline is clearly proving tough to replace. Now, it's certainly early, and retaining 5-star Big Walnut receiver Jamier Brown is no small feat. For all we know, Hankton may see through the noise and won't focus on serious recruiting until closer to signing day. Coming from the LSU Tigers, Hankton knows how flimsy some of these "commitments" are. Very few teams saw more movement in and out than LSU. Hankton may well deliver an acceptable number of elite commitments this summer and fall once he's got the lay of the land.
Still, it's a daunting task to try to replicate what Hartline did. And some fans are already nervous after Hankton's first commit in 2027 was not a blue-chip, on paper, right now, at least.
Cortez Hankton had some fans worried by landing a 2029 commitment first
Many were thrown off by Hankton because, before he landed a 2027 receiver, he brought on a 2029 commitment, bypassing two more relevant classes to do so. To boot, already, Bellflower, California, receiver Austin Miller is being projected as a flip threat to the USC Trojans.
That had some doubting Hankton had much of a plan. In truth, if Miller stays committed for the next two and a half years and Hankton gets the 2027 class in order, this will all be something to look back at with laughter. "Remember when everyone freaked out about Cortez Hankton before he really got going?"
If that doesn't happen, you'd best believe the Hartline shadow narrative will be prominent. Especially if Hartline could produce NFL talent en masse in Tampa at a respectably comparable rate.
Add us as a preferred source on Google