He's arguably the most talented high-school athlete in the country and he certainly demands the most attention from the media.
His name is Terrelle Pryor, of Jeannette Senior High School in Pennsylvania, and he has not yet made up his mind on which college he will attend next year.
The picture may still be foggy even when national signing day rolls around next Wednesday.
Pryor's most recent announcement revealed he may not sign with any team on February 6. He may elect to wait until he has a chance to make a west-coast visit to Oregon. This comes as a surprise to many in the Midwest, who were beginning to believe it was a two-horse race between rivals Ohio State and Michigan.
"I'd say it's about 50-50 that I'll push things back," said Pryor, indicating he is split about the decision to sign or postpone.
It appears, most likely, that he will still select one of the Big Ten schools, which would make it easier for his wheelchair-bound father to come watch him play.
Look for a moment, then, at those two scenarios.
If the Buckeyes land Pryor, they add another blue chip to an already-strong recruiting class. They bolster their squad for another great regular season. They help secure their powerhouse status now and down the road, entrenching themselves as the elite Big Ten team.
But what is the problem with the Buckeyes right now? They have had little trouble in the past couple of regular seasons, and a major factor in them folding on the biggest stage has been their lack of meaningful football played in conference.
Over the past two years, they haven't been challenged by a great Big Ten foe, ignoring for a moment their loss to Illinois. The few close games they have had did not come against premier programs (and yes, that includes Michigan). Michigan has been in decline of late, despite a big bowl win over Florida this year.
Without Pryor, what do they have?
The old, strong teams of the Midwest are falling behind the talent-ridden south. What Ohio State really needs is some stronger competition in October and November.
Look at scenario two.
If Michigan were to land Pryor, he has the opportunity to infuse its squad with new hope. He is an instant-impact type of player, especially if given the keys to new coach Rich Rodriguez's Wolverine-mobile. Michigan becomes stronger right away with a player like Pryor, who has the potential to resurrect a program that may not be too far away.
High-school recruits want to play against the best. If they see Ohio State and Michigan atop the nation, they may look more strongly at a school like Penn State, Iowa, Wisconsin, or Michigan State. The Big Ten slowly rises from the ashes of college football.
Yes, this is a dramatization. But one can imagine a plausible scenario not too far off from this.
Ohio State will get its recruits. They will have the talent going forward. What they need is the rest of the conference to do its part. They need real competition game-in and game-out; struggles like that of the *gasp* SEC.
It may sound crazy initially, but Terrelle Pryor at Michigan could help Ohio State more than if Pryor were to choose The Ohio State University.
It could happen by slightly strengthening the Big Ten, and helping the conference emerge again slowly over the next five or ten years.
A stronger-yet Ohio State squad, or a rejuvenated Big Ten? Either way, the Buckeyes could be winners.
21 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Carl Johnson about 1 year ago
According to Sports Illustrated's cover story last fall, The Ohio State University has an estimated One Billion dollar annual sports department budget. There isn't another university athletic department in the United States that comes close to that. It's going to break my Maize & Blue Michigan heart.......... but I fully expect Terrelle Pryor to follow the big money and join Buckeye Nation.
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Jeffrey Santon about 1 year ago
Interesting article. I don't really agree with your take that it would benefit OSU to not get Pryor but I understand what you are trying to say. Way to go outside the box though. Many ppl will read the article just to understand how you could justify your title. As an OSU fan Pryor is getting on my nerves a bit as well. Making multiple colleges hold a scolarship open after signing day is showing me he is a 'me' type of guy to an extent,and he seems to be enjoying this a little bit more then he should. Could be showing a small portion of character issues that will be yet to come. I didn't really feel it was warranted prior to this but if he singles himself out like that, I don't care if we get the little drama queen or not.
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Ed Suszczynski about 1 year ago
Very good article but I feel it is in the best interest of Terrelle Pryor to sign with The Ohio State Buckeyes. I say this for several reasons. Ohio State is currently ranked 3 in the 2008 pre-season poll, still has a lot of great senior talent and a great recruiting class. In the Big Ten Michigan and Penn State will become stronger but they are currently re-building and this will take 2-4 years to do. Ohio State is at the point of re-loading not re-building so Terrelle Pryor can immediately step into a strong team and make it even stronger without waiting 2-4 years to accelerate his career. This will not only increase his chance of winning the Heisman Trophy but will get him noticed even more by Professional Football Scouts.
So with all of that being said I feel Terrelle Pryor needs to make a business decision and do what is financially best for his family as well as his own future. SIGN WITH THE OHIO STATE BUCKEYES!
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tom michael about 1 year ago
that just may be the dumbest article i have ever read.
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Nino Colla about 1 year ago
Haha it is crazy..
It's insane
But it's one of those things where you say
It's just so crazy, it might work.
and really it's an interesting perspective.
Props to you
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scott serles about 1 year ago
There is no way that Pryor signing with Michigan helps out Ohio State at all, it helps out Michigan. Wouldn't the Buckeyes signing of Pryor virtually do the same thing to the BIG TEN than if he signed with Michigan. Your article and argument paints one of the most ridiculous scenarios I have read recently. Michigan is not on the decline, everyone but Ohio State and Michigan in the BIG TEN is on the decline. Ask Jim Tressel if he thinks Michigan signing Terrelle Pryor will help Ohio State in the long run. In fact why doesn't Tressel and the Buckeyes give up on Pryor all together, because it is going to be so much more beneficial. DUMB! Are you a Michigan fan? And yes I am a Buckeye die-hard. This is so dumb and I am not overly critical of people who write for this site, because I have had people tell me to go kill myself, but Michael you should really rethink this whole thing out, I got a better idea send this to a Buckeye forum or something, in fact mail it directly to Jim Tressel himself. They will all be bamboozled by your strange theory. Please stop.....If he does sign with Michigan I am holding you personally responsible.
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Michael Rice about 1 year ago
Haha, ok. As a Buckeye fan, I can't actually root for him to sign there. I hope Pryor is a Buckeye.
I still feel that a restored Michigan program will quickly add to the conference. Ohio State has beaten Big Blue six of the last seven, including four straight. Michigan fans will tell you that that is down.
It is just a theory of mine, but I think it has some merit. Who knows, maybe I'm just trying to pre-console myself (yeah, I'm pretty sure I just made up that word) in case he does sign there.
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Michael Rice about 1 year ago
Great comments thus far. Thank you for your reasoned support and opposition everyone.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
If his goal was to strengthen the bid ten then why doesn't he sign with penn state, wisconsin, or michigan state? I know why; because he doesn't want to strengthen the big ten, he wants what most high rated prospects want and that is to go to a college where they can be recognized and then make it to the pros and in the pros.
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Michael Rice about 1 year ago
I never said anything about him wanting to strengthen the Big Ten. His choice would make that happen, regardless of intent.
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K Langermann about 1 year ago
I think you stepped out of the box and voiced your opinion nothing wrong with that.
I'm sure you knew you were going to get all this critisim from all other OSU fans. I am a Michigan Fan and am really tired of the drama also. If he is so gun ho on being a buckeye why drag this thing out make a decision and move on. He must be unsure about something with OSU, has any one figured that out yet.
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Michael Rice about 1 year ago
There might be some element of uncertainty for him, but I think it is mostly just that he wants the press. He seems to love the attention.
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ctownbrowns about 1 year ago
all the top recruits wait until signing day...they want to add excitement, im sure TP knows where he is going, im hoping its THE Ohio State University, but you never know. On another note, we are talking about a kid here so im sure there could be some minor or major keeping him from commiting. im just sick of the SEC talking all the good players....think about it though, 18 year old guys...what is one of the most important things about college...girls...where are they tan and looking good the most....the south...where can the be outside 24/7....the south...thank god ohio state has the tridition and the money they have. bcs now after 10 years of the north schools dominating ESPN...now they are all over the south! THESE KIDS WANNA GET NOTICED NATIONALY!
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
First OSU needs to learn how to finish a game. If they are worried about strength of schedule get your none conference games up ie; Youngstown State, Akron, Washington, Kent State. The only quality opponents they face are in the Big Ten. The only reason they are in the NC game consistently is because of the Big Ten. OSU has been in the NC the last two years and have not been able to finish, at no fault of the Big Ten. Second the big ten does have perenial teams ie; Michigan, Wisconsin, Penn State, and Ohio State. No conference has a monopoly over college football and they hype of the SEC or southern teams is the ability to put up numbers, have they heard of defense? This has nothing to do with Pryor, it is the direction of college football and America. Any Big Ten team can compete with the SEC, except Jim Tressel(0-9).
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
first off, jim tressel hasnt played in 9 games against the sec. second, you are just a hater of OSU and the only arguement you have is that the sec is more dominant...wise up dude and don't state the obvious and think of something worth saying
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Greg Saul about 1 year ago
Don't think so...
What they need is a game plan for the BIG GAME. Why does PSU consistently beat the SEC in bowl games? Team preparation and game planning.
To win the mythical national championship you need great talent, a schedule that gets you into the game, and then a prepared team together with the game plan and game adjustments to win the game. OSU has had the first two, but not the last. If the rest of the Big Ten gets better, OSU will not even make it to the game.....
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
COLUMBUS DISPATCH HEADLINES:
January 8, 2008: Ohio State loses to LSU 24-21. Now 0-9 vs. SEC teams.
I don't think the SEC is more dominant, only dominant over Jim Tressel. What is worth saying is OSU can't finish a season and they didn't deserve to be in except that they play in the Big Ten. If they didn't play a non-conference schedule that my high school football team could beat, everyone would have saw they didn't deserve to be in the NC game.
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Rob Wunsch about 1 year ago
I think the article has some good points about the BigTen being down, however, one recruit is not going to save a conference. I also think last year was a down year for the BigTen. We are just a year and a couple months removed from #1OSU v. #2UM. OSU didn't lose to LSU because the BigTen was weak. They lost to LSU because LSU was the better team. We had tough games in November so saying we were not prepared because the BigTen is weak is just an excuse.
You had to know you were going to get hammered a little when you wrote this, however, I think you did a good job getting your point across even though I don't agree with it. :)
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Brendan Gillespie about 1 year ago
Way to step outside of the box. The choice of title certainly is going to lure a lot of readers in here when they read it and say "What?!?!?" I certainly did that.
I see your point in how it could strenthen the Big Ten. A little far fetched maybe, but I see it. Big Ten is on the decline, I will even say that as a big Michigan fan. Against the SEC we're not looking too good. That and the fact that we only seem to be doing well against each other. I was even amazed when Michigan won over Florida this past year. AMAZING!
I'm loving how all these OSU fans are coming out of the woodwork (lot's of Anonymous postings, OSU!) and saying how much of a dumb article this is when they can't see your different perspective on this.
Kudos to you Mike.
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damian daugherty about 1 year ago
coming into reading this article I didnt think I would agree but I totally agree, and then again I also would love to have him because it would help us be great also and potentially stop losing to SEC teams in the NC?
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
I agree that TP going to Michigan would be good for competition but I still don't think that it would necessarily be good for OSU directly.
I am seeing a lot of comments about TP being 'selfish' and 'enjoying the spotlight', etc, but I have read a lot about the kid and seen some interviews and I have never gotten that impression. I think a lot of you are assuming that he likes it without any evidence supporting your assumption.
I am not saying that he is or isn't a good choice. I am saying that a lot of people are making assumptions when there is no way that they could know.
Anyway, here is my take. TP, by most accounts, was ready to sign with OSU. He hung out with OSU players at the Army game, has remained in contact and all of that. But his dad is a Penn State fan and talked him into waiting until he at least had an official visit there. And since signing day is just the FIRST day that recruits can sign, it only makes sense to be sure of your choice. And, since he is holding things up already, he may as well get a free trip to Oregon to see thier legendary facilities (I think it will be too far away for him, though).
So, I think he still wants to go to OSU but he wants to please his dad and visit PSU. Will he change his mind after the visit? Maybe - but I still think he chooses OSU unless his dad pressures him into choosing otherwise.
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