Ohio State recruiting: 5-star Ohioan planning to stay home

“I’ve talked to my family and decided I have to do what’s best for me and my future,” the sophomore wrote in a message posted on Twitter.

The 6-foot-5, 215-pound is the No. 3 player in the country according to 247Sports Composite rankings, trailing Sammamish (Wash.) Eastside Catholic defensive tackle J.T. Tuimoloau and Clarkston, Mich., offensive tackle Garrett Dellinger.

The first player to commit to Ohio State for 2021 picked Ohio State over offers from Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, Notre Dame and Cincinnati, among others.

Sawyer's announcement comes as schools work to wrap up their 2019 classes prior to the traditional National Signing Day, which is Wednesday.

However, most of the highly regarded prospects signed in December, and the push for 2020 is already underway.

Ohio State's 2019 class, which could still add or lose a member this week, is ranked 13th in the nation and No. 3 in the Big Ten behind Michigan and Penn State.

The 2020 class, which with seven verbal commitments is probably less than one third finished, is ranked No. 4 nationally and headlined by Paris Johnson, a five-star offensive lineman from Cincinnati St. Xavier.

Eight local players are among the prospects highly regarded early in the 2020 recruiting cycle.