In a day and age of uncertainty, it only makes sense that high school prospects across the land are taking a step back and trying to make sense of a recruiting landscape clouded by the coronavirus threat. And though Tuesday’s announcement by La Mesa (Calif.) Helix four-star offensive lineman Josh Simmons to de-commit from Oregon’s 2021 recruiting class wasn’t directly impacted by the virus itself, it certainly provided a backdrop that fittingly reflected Simmons’ feelings about his short-lived verbal commitment to the Ducks.

I want to thank OU and especially coach Cristobal for everything they have done for me. I’m definitely still considering the Ducks moving forward but at this point in my recruitment, I want to open things back up to make sure I’m doing the right thing and exploring all my options

— Josh (@josh5immons) April 1, 2020

In an interview with 247Sports national recruiting analyst Greg Biggins, Simmons said that his desire to see other schools after picking up a number of high-profile offers the past several weeks played a large role in his decision to de-commit from Oregon. Simmons would go on to admit that the Ducks will remain in strong consideration for his signature later this year, but that he plans to take several visits to other schools between now and when he can officially sign in order to make a more well-rounded decision.

“It’s a big decision for sure and I made it really early in the process, without seeing a lot of other schools,” Simmons told Biggins Tuesday. “This is a huge decision obviously and I think it’s only fair that I go and take my visits and see what else is out there.”

With Simmons’ de-commitment, Oregon’s 2021 recruiting class slips to 13th in 247Sports’ Composite Team Rankings, though it retains the no. 1 overall spot in the Pac-12 recruiting ranks for the time being. The de-commitment of Simmons also leaves the Ducks with one offensive lineman currently committed to the 2021 class in Draper (Utah) Corner Canyon three-star Jackson Light.

Below, WFOD analyzes Simmons’ de-commitment and how it impacts the Ducks moving forward this recruiting cycle.

The glass half-empty look:

For the doom and gloomers out there, the apparent loss of Josh Simmons represents a step back in Mario Cristobal’s efforts to put together an offensive line class in 2021 that could very well solidify the Ducks in the offensive trenches for years to come. Possessing a college-ready frame (6-foot-5, 323 pounds) and the athleticism to match it, Simmons was a key early addition for Cristobal and was a prospect that offered a sense of security as the Ducks looked to continue to build around he and Light this cycle. With him out of the mix, Oregon goes back to square one to an extent when it comes to its pursuit of other offensive linemen, particularly at the guard position. Considering the gross uncertainty of how the 2021 recruiting cycle will play out for both prospects and coaches given the times we’re living in, losing a commitment has to feel at least a tinge more unsettling than it normally would on April 1.

The glass half-full look:

It’s early. And not only that, Cristobal and company are in on a number of high-profile offensive line prospects that could help fill the void left by Simmons in this year’s recruiting class. While the Ducks won’t have an opportunity any time soon to host other prospects on campus or visit them at their schools, every other program across the country finds themselves in the exact same position, making it difficult to get too wound up one way or another over a de-commitment at this stage. If the Ducks have proven anything under Mario Cristobal, it’s that they will work tirelessly to address any gaps on the roster or in a given recruiting class, and particularly so as it relates to the offensive line. Simmons is a quality player who the Ducks no doubt would have preferred to stay true to his pledge, but time is on Oregon’s side as they re-assess the plethora of options that remain on the table.

Who are Oregon’s remaining options along the offensive line this recruiting cycle?

As mentioned, there are no shortage of tremendous options along the offensive line for Oregon to consider, regardless of whether Simmons was a member of the Ducks’ 2021 class or not. At guard specifically, Oregon remains in the thick of it for Katy (Texas) Taylor four-star recruit Bryce Foster, who currently ranks as the nation’s no. 4 offensive guard per 247Sports’ Composite Rankings and recently named a top five which included Oregon, Texas A&M, LSU, Oklahoma, and Texas. Keep an eye on four-star prospect Jager Burton and three-star prospect Maximus Gibbs, who are two other guards – along with Simmons – that could potentially wind up as members of this class. Though not necessarily expected to play a role at a guard at the collegiate level, the Ducks are also in strong consideration for highly-touted tackles Kingsley Suamataia, Jonah Miller, and Bram Walden. The addition of any one those three players would help take the sting out of the loss of Simmons considerably.

Top Photo: La Mesa (Calif.) Helix OL Josh Simmons (USA Today Images)