Running Back Recruit Daniyel Ngata Puts Commitment on Hold

Sunday was supposed to be commitment day for four-star running back Daniyel Ngata. Supposed to be. But on Sunday afternoon at the time he was expected to commit, he instead made the following announcement:

After discussions with my parents and coaches, I have decided to announce my commitment at the @ProFootballHOF World Bowl Game on CBS.

— Daniyel Ngata (@dngata2) October 27, 2019

So a slight delay. And by slight, I mean quite a bit. The World Bowl Game on America’s Most Watched Network isn’t scheduled until Dec. 21 at 4 p.m. — a good two months after what he initially planned.

This doesn’t necessarily hurt OSU’s chances, but it really doesn’t help, either. As I wrote earlier on Sunday, OSU had moved into the catbird seat to land Ngata over the last week. With a delay, it provides time to the contenders — Arizona State, Utah, Texas A&M and Clemson — to make a final push.

It also gives time for OSU to recalibrate, which is important. OSU is in the top five now for both Ngata and for in-state star Isaiah Jacobs, who just this week whittled down his list. A Dec. 21 commitment date for Ngata allows OSU to refocus its efforts and, potentially, plan a better fall-back option if in the off chance Ngata goes elsewhere.

For now the most immediate plan appears to be Jacobs and Ngata as a two-running back class, but as we’ve seen in year’s past, there’s always late risers who emerge in the days and weeks leading up to signing day. Those days and weeks could allow more time for OSU to scout the landscape if a worst-case scenario of Ngata going elsewhere does come to fruition.