4-Star WR Alex Stump Flips from SEC to Ohio State: What It Means for Buckeyes

Ohio State landed a commitment from 4-star wide receiver Alex Stump Sunday afternoon, flipping the local prospect from Lakewood, Ohio, who was previously committed to play at Kentucky.

According to Jeremy Birmingham of Eleven Warriors, the Buckeyes offered Stump a scholarship in late September, and the 6'3" wide receiver needed less than a month to make his decision. Stump explained the nuance of his choice to Birmingham:

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I actually really started to talk to Coach (Urban) Meyer in the early part of the season, after our opener against Gilman. They'd wanted me to come visit for a while, but we always play on Saturdays, so I couldn't make it. (Meyer) talked to me about how I played that game, and that they wanted me to call them later in the week. An offer from Ohio State would have always made things interesting, and about a month ago I thought it might be coming.

Ohio State wanted me to come camp all summer, and if I wasn't committed to Kentucky, I would have. I didn't feel right going there and essentially campaigning for an offer from another school. I'd hoped that if they wanted to offer me, seeing me in person and during a game would show what I could do.

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Stump is the No. 310 overall player and No. 38 wide receiver in the 2015 class, per the 247Sports composite rankings. He is the 17th commitment in OSU's class, which ranks No. 14 in the country and second behind Penn State in the Big Ten.

More importantly, Stump is only the second receiver in the Buckeyes' 2015 class, joining 3-star prospect A.J. Alexander, a 6'4" possession receiver from Burke, Virginia. Although he is listed at 6'3" by 247Sports, Stump is actually listed at 6'5" by ESPN.com. Together, he and Alexander form an imposing pair of young pass-catchers.

That is particularly important after the Buckeyes' 2014 recruiting class, which despite a high ranking (and decent early returns) did not possess height at the skill positions. The only three receivers in the class—Johnnie Dixon, Paris Campbell and Terry McLaurin—are all listed at 6'0" or smaller. They are speed instead of outside-the-numbers threats.

But both of those things are important for Urban Meyer's offense, which is famous for its utilization of Percy Harvin-types (speed players) but equally reliant on Riley Cooper-types (outside players).

Stump projects as a good version of the latter.

"[Stump is] a run and catch guy that may not provide as many big plays after the catch, but is sure to make his fair share of plays downfield especially when challenged," wrote ESPN Scouts Inc. (subscription required). "He fits the mold of what people want in today's receiver on the outside."

Ohio State's best receiver this season has been 6'3" sophomore Michael Thomas, who leads the team with 17 catches for 322 yards and five touchdowns. He will be a junior when Stump arrives on campus and is a good person for Stump to learn the position under.

The next three leading receivers on Ohio State's current roster are Devin Smith, Corey Smith and Evan Spencer—a senior, a junior and a senior, respectively. There will be copious opportunities for an underclassman to see the field in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Stump will have a difficult time challenging for playing time next season—a result of the foot injury he suffered earlier this month that will require surgery and stunt his development—but he is a name to keep an eye on the following two seasons.