The college football world is heating up. Week 12 was again filled with thrilling games, which has now set the stage for an exciting playoff race just around the corner. While the competition is getting fierce, the recruitment process for the new season is getting equally intense. Only two weeks are left for National Signing Day, and Ryan Day has been delivered with a shock.

His four-star edge rusher Zahir Mathis has ditched him. Yes! You heard it right. It looks like nine victories were not enough to save Mathis. Hayes Fawcett, the transfer portal reporter, shared the news on his Instagram account and captioned it as, “BREAKING: Four-Star EDGE Zahir Mathis has de-committed from Ohio State, he tells me for @on3recruits”  What caught everyone’s attention is Mathis comment to the post. He commented, “Let’s Shock Da World,” with a globe emoji and two big red exclamation marks.

Mathis was going to be Day’s biggest asset for the coming years. He announced his commitment in January. However, now it looks like they are in big trouble. He is ranked among the top 95 recruits in 2025. The 6-foot-6-inch edge rusher holds a total of 37 offers. When was the last time you heard someone holding this many offers? It simply tells why Day and his staff are going to be in shock. Although despite offers from 37 programs, he only visited Penn State.

Mathis made the big announcement. On November 18th, on his X account, he wrote, “After much consideration, I’ve decided to reopen my recruitment and decommit from Ohio State.” He further added a note for the head coach and his staff: “I appreciate Coach Day, Coach Johnson and all the coaches at Ohio State. They are still a top school for me. This is a life decision. Please respect my decision.”

Now the big question is, who will he join? This season, Ohio State was at their best. Is he in conversation with other programs? Moving forward, let’s see how his decision is going to affect Day and his entire team.

Ryan Day and Ohio State Buckeyes lose key defensive commitment

The four-star recruit was a top priority for the Buckeyes. Before Mathis made his decision, they had six commitments at the DL and edge positions. Now Day is left with only four-start pass rushers, London Merritt and Zion Grady.

Trajen Odom, Jarquez Carter, and Maxwell Roy are still part of Day’s defense’s interior line. Football programs want top players on their teams, and Mathis has all the qualities of a good defensive player. He made his decision after schools are now targeting several members of Ohio State’s recruiting class. Their four-star linebacker commit Tarvos Alford also looks in danger; Miami is trying their best to influence him. Will he ditch Day after Mathis?

Not just that! One of the Buckeyes’ top recruits, five-star cornerback Na’eem Offord, is also on Oregon and Auburn’s radar. Day, are you listening to this? Oregon can be Day’s biggest threat. They have been ruling CFB for quite a few weeks now. Will Day get more shocks moving ahead?