Ohio State Adds 5-Star Recruit—Jamaal Berry Commits

Miami Palmetto superstar tailback Jamaal Berry became the 25th member of the 2009 Ohio State recruiting class on Sunday, adding yet another 5-star recruit to an already stellar class.

Berry, the top running back prospect in Florida and top five nationally,  is 5' 11", 185-pounds, and runs a 4.31 forty yard dash.

Berry is a tough, downhill runner with a strong upper body that allows him to thwart would-be tacklers and gain yards after contact.  He's a physical player and is able to catch the ball.  He has a short stride and the speed to eat up a lot of yards.

Berry and his mother were in attendance at Ohio State's 43-0 rout of Youngstown State on Saturday and after the game they toured Ohio State's facilities, met with coaches and academic faculty.

Berry told Scout.com in an exclusive interview Sunday, "I'm a Buckeye.  I told Coach Tressel today in his office.  He was pretty excited and I'm pretty happy myself."

"I feel so much at home here and everybody treats me so great.  This just feels like the perfect place for me."

Berry had offers from several schools including Florida, LSU, West Virginia, South Carolina, Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, Ole Miss, and Michigan although he only seriously considered Ohio State, Florida, and LSU. 

He visited Ohio State during the annual Scarlet and Gray Spring Game and fell in love with what Ohio State had to offer.  He is scheduled to make make official visits to Florida and LSU later this season, but Berry should be considered a lock for Jim Tressel and the Buckeyes.  He will make an official visit to Ohio State on November 22 when he will attend the Michigan game. 

Ohio State's 2009 recruiting class also includes DE Melvin Fellows (OH), LB Dorian Bell (PA), DT Johnny Simon (OH) all 5-star recruits.

Also committed are 4-star recruits CB Corey Brown (PA), FB Carlos Hyde (FL), CB Justin Green (KY), CB Dominic Clarke (MD), WR James Jackson (MI), OG Corey Linsley (OH), WR Chris Fields (OH), S Jamie Wood (OH), CB C.J. Barnett (OH), OT Jake Mewhort (OH), LB Storm Klein (OH), and WR Duron Carter (FL).  Carter is the son of former Buckeye and NFL superstar Chris Carter.