Ohio State Football Recruiting: Breaking Down Battle for Cornelius Elder

Ohio State 2013 process of recruiting is coming to an end soon and it's time to break down the battle for Cornelius Elder.

Elder, the seventh-ranked athlete in the country according to 247sports, is considering Ohio State in addition to UCLA, Georgia Tech, Ole Miss and Vanderbilt. 

The 5'10", 165-pound athlete played running back and safety in high school, as well as basketball at Ensworth High School in Nashville.

The possibility of Elder opting to play basketball on the next level complicates matters in recruiting him, as his talent on the court is getting notice at the collegiate level.

Elder named the schools that are recruiting him on the hardwood: "Western Kentucky, MTSU, College of Charleston, Northeastern and Florida Gulf Coast,” he said.

No one other than Elder knows whether he will play basketball or football, but clearly the Buckeyes are hoping for the latter.

Elder is a waterbug athlete who could play either defense or offense. He's incredibly fast and the Buckeyes are seemingly closing in on him. 

Ohio State's main challenge is UCLA and basketball programs around the nation. If a major basketball program offers him a roster spot, he may accept it in favor of any offer made by a football program.

After all, Elder did say that he would pursue basketball at the next level and it seems logical that he would take an offer from a high major. 

Basketball teams are wary of Elder's small stature and wiry frame, and undoubtedly have concerns about whether can he keep up physically. 

If he does play football, he will need to bulk up at least 20 more pounds, as he's currently not able to take a beating in the physical Big 10. 

Elder's ultimate decision remain a mystery but, in the meantime, he is highly sought-after by the Buckeyes. If he chooses football, it's likely he'll be playing in the Horseshoe next fall.