Ohio State Football: Former Michigan Commit Gareon Conley Flips to the Buckeyes

We're only hours into Urban Meyer's big recruiting weekend, and the Ohio State Buckeyes have already secured a commitment from former Michigan pledge Gareon Conley.

Bill Greene of Scout.com heard the rumors first, then Bill Rabinowitz of the Columbus Dispatch confirmed Conley's commitment shortly after:

"

Massillon Washington CB/WR Gareon Conley has committed to #OSU, his HS coach tells the Dispatch. Was a Michigan commitment until lately.

— Bill Rabinowitz (@brdispatch) December 7, 2012"

The 4-star cornerback out of Massillon, Ohio is a good get for the Buckeyes, who only retain two cornerbacks with legitimate experience next year (assuming Bradley Roby returns for his junior season).

The major recruiting services have ranked Conley very differently. Rivals.com has him rated just the No. 42 cornerback in the country with a 3-star rating, Scout.com has him rated as the No. 17 cornerback with a 4-star rating and ESPN rated Conley the highest, pegging him the 62nd best prospect in the entire country with a 4-star rating.

Conley's commitment is big for a couple of reasons. 

Aside from filling a team need, Conley became the first commitment for Ohio State since Tyquan Lewis back in September. Conley is the 18th member of Urban Meyer's 2013 class, and he may have started what could turn into an avalanche of commitments for the Buckeyes.

The fact that Meyer flipped Conley, who was committed to Michigan just last week, is big as well. Brady Hoke has raided Ohio to secure some top prospects over the last two years, even stealing a commitment from the Buckeyes when Kyle Kalis flipped to the Wolverines last year.

Mike Mitchell, David Dawson and a few other top targets are in Columbus this weekend as well, so stay tuned. 

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