COLUMBUS, Ohio -- On Tuesday night, Ohio State assistant coach Jeff Hafley was in the Texas home of Buckeyes cornerback recruit Ryan Watts. By Friday night, Hafley was an outgoing Ohio State assistant. On his Twitter account, Watts went from posting this on Tuesday:

Blessed to be in this Position! Amazing Home visit with Coach Hafley Tonight ‼️ #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/irGAABtepn — Ryan Watts📝 (@RyanwattsIII) December 11, 2019

to posting this on Friday:

This is part of the deal in college football. Assistants leave for bigger jobs, and Hafley was officially announced as Boston College’s new head coach on Saturday. But that can leave recruits in the lurch. National Signing Day is on Wednesday, and Hafley in just one season in Columbus was heavily involved in the Buckeyes’ No. 4-ranked recruiting class. Most recruits are targeted by the assistant in charge of that area of the country and by their position coach. But Ohio State’s defensive backs recruits are so geographically diverse, it was Hafley who really led the way on their recruitments.

With the departures of corners Jeff Okudah and Damon Arnette and safety Jordan Fuller after this season, and the possible loss of corner Shaun Wade to the NFL, the Buckeyes were already looking at a new secondary for 2020. The Buckeyes also lost sophomore Isaiah Pryor to transfer this season, and safety Brendon White is now looking to transfer.

There are backups like sophomores Sevyn Banks and Cam Brown; junior Amir Riep; and redshirt freshman Tyreke Johnson ready at corner. Sophomore Josh Proctor and freshmen Marcus Hooker are up next at safety. But this is a vital recruiting class in the secondary to fill in behind them. So what might happen with Hafley leaving? Let’s look at the five defensive back recruits in this class.

Clark Phillips III, cornerback, No. 47 overall prospect, California:

Greg Biggins, a recruiting writer for 247sports.com, reported that Phillips is visiting Utah this weekend.

La Habra (Calif) DB and #OhioState commit Clark Phillips is taking an official visit to #Utah this weekend, still solid with #Buckeyes but #Utes we’re among his first offers three years ago and family wanted to give them one last look — Greg Biggins (@GregBiggins) December 14, 2019

The Buckeyes recruited Phillips hard and he has a real chance to make the two-deep as a true freshman, so this wasn’t only about Hafley. If Hafley wasn’t leaving, you’d completely blow off a late official visit like this as nothing. Even with Hafley gone, there’s no reason to expect a Phillips flip. But you know what Utah is bringing up this weekend.

Lathan Ransom, safety, No. 79 overall prospect, Arizona:

On Friday afternoon, Ransom posted Twitter photos of Hafley’s visit to his Tucson home, just hours before Hafley’s new deal at Boston College was finalized.

Ransom hasn’t given any indication of changing his mind, but in a video posted Saturday, Ransom said he wasn’t sure if he was going to sign Wednesday. At the very least, that’s a little uncertainty entering the picture.

Ryan Watts, cornerback, No. 258 overall prospect, Texas

Watts’ initial social media reaction was listed at the top of the page. But Watts wrote on Twitter on Saturday that he’ll be a Buckeye.

I’m locked in Buckeye Nation ‼️ https://t.co/TH8CfpdQeA — Ryan Watts📝 (@RyanwattsIII) December 14, 2019

Lejond Cavazos, cornerback, No. 259 overall prospect, Florida

Cavazos committed, then decommitted after Urban Meyer left, then recommitted after Hafley made a push.

He wrote on his Twitter account Saturday that he’s not going anywhere.

To clear up all the rumors, I am 100% committed to THE Ohio State University & plan to report in January. God bless & Go Bucks! 🅾️ — Lej (@lejondaryy) December 14, 2019

Cameron Martinez, safety, No. 322 overall prospect, Michigan

Hafley saw Martinez on Sunday after the Big Ten Championship Game. Martinez told LettermenRow.com that he’s sticking with the Buckeyes.

Appreciate @CoachJeffHafley stopping by and visiting with the family on sunday, after the big ten championship! ⭕️ pic.twitter.com/FIrsSdcRD4 — Cameron Martinez (@CM240) December 11, 2019

Get Buckeyes Insider texts in your phone from Doug Lesmerises: Cut through the clutter of social media and communicate directly with the award-winning OSU football reporter, just like you would with your friends. Sign up for insight on the Buckeyes for $3.99 a month.

New Ohio State merchandise for playoffs: Here’s where you can get Buckeyes shirts and hats for men, women and youth commemorating OSU’s third straight Big Ten championship and berth in the College Football Playoff at the Fiesta Bowl

More Buckeyes coverage

Which Ohio State players could be surprise Fiesta Bowl difference-makers against Clemson?

Who are some of the 2021 recruits Ohio State football is battling for with Clemson?

Ohio State defensive back Brendon White enters name in transfer portal: Report

C.J. Stroud among Ohio State football recruits taking official visits this weekend

Michigan wide receiver Tarik Black enters the transfer portal