Once projected to be Ohio State’s future feature back, Miami (Fla.) running back Mark Fletcher Jr. will instead face the Buckeyes from the opposite sideline of their playoff matchup years after decommitting from the program.
Fletcher originally committed to Ohio State on April 12, 2022, following an unofficial visit just 11 days prior. Though the Fort Lauderdale, Fla. native kept his options through early signing period, as he took visits from Miami and Florida before decommitting from the Buckeyes on Nov. 16, 2022.
Just over a month after his decommitment from Ohio State, Fletcher committed to Miami on Dec. 21, 2022, before he officially signed with the Hurricanes just three days later.
Fletcher, who stands at 6-2, 225, said staying home ultimately guided his decision to choose Miami over Ohio State.
“I’m from this area, and I just felt that if anything were to go, it wouldn’t be necessarily wrong because I was not planning for failure,” Fletcher said. “ I just felt I would be most successful if I just stayed home and played for the Hurricanes and everything just worked out for me that way.”
So far, Fletcher’s decision has been validated on the field, as the junior has produced at least 500 rushing yards and five touchdowns in every season with the Hurricanes. Fletcher has set career marks this year with 158 carries for 857 and 10 touchdowns, while adding 14 receptions for 107 yards and a receiving score.
Even with clarity about choosing Miami, Fletcher said his conversations with Ohio State’s coaching staff were among the toughest he faced during his recruitment.
When asked about the talks he had with Ohio State coaches after his decommitment, Fletcher admitted it was a difficult conversation, although he said it was a key step in his personal growth as he navigated the recruiting process.
“I feel like in that recruiting stage, all athletes have to learn how to have those hard conversations,” Fletcher said. “That’s just becoming a man, having to tell people no, having to disappoint people. But at the end of the day, this is your life. So yeah, that conversation was hard. And it was hard to say no to the other coaches as well. But that’s what all athletes during that recruiting stage have to go through. But it makes you a better person, and especially, a better man.”
Fletcher said facing Ohio State will be especially meaningful for him, given his history with the program.
While carrying added motivation, the junior running back praised Ohio State’s physicality and discipline, noting it will be one of the toughest defensive challenges Miami has seen this season.
“They are big up front, big on the second level, and their safeties come down and hit,” Fletcher said. “They communicate very well and fly around. It’s just chaos everywhere. Those guys chase the ball, communicate very well, and they are just ballplayers. I’m excited for the challenge. (Ohio State) has gamers on every level.”
Miami sophomore defensive end Justin Scott was also once committed to Ohio State, giving his pledge to the Buckeyes on July 2, 2023, before backing off that commitment and choosing Miami nearly five months later on Nov. 29, 2023.
The pair of Fletcher and Scott will get a chance to take a crack at the Buckeyes when No. 10 Miami takes on No. 7 Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl Dec. 31 at 7:30 p.m.
Image via Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images
