National Signing Day has not been kind to the Ohio State Buckeyes when it comes to out-of-state stars in the past. But times are changing for the Buckeyes, whose 2011 recruiting class received one of the biggest additions of the year on Wednesday when linebacker Curtis Grant offered his pledge to the Buckeyes.
Grant, ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the country, was National Signing Day's biggest prize. The top prospect, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, plans to sign on Feb. 14.
"I prayed on it and it came down to where my heart was at," Grant said. "I really felt it was Ohio State from the moment I first visited. I love the players there, the other recruits and everyone that I met. I really like the opportunity there."
The 6-foot-3, 222-pound linebacker picked Ohio State over Florida, Virginia and North Carolina and is ranked as a five-star prospect.
"All of the Ohio State coaches played a role in my recruitment but of course there was Jim Tressel," Grant added. "But Luke Fickell, Paul Haynes and (Taver Johnson) all played a big role too."
It appeared at one point that the Gators would be the team to beat for Grant but after Urban Meyer left the team, the Buckeyes upped the pressure. Tressel's steady approach to recruiting ended up landing the biggest of big prospects.
Rivals.com recruiting analyst Barry Every feels that Grant sizes up to a current Buckeye when it comes just to the looks test.
"(Grant is a) tall, wide-shouldered athlete with a very well-developed lower body," Every said in his review of Grant.
Grant's speed and agility are two things that he will need to work on when it comes to advancing his game. But he is still very well-suited to playing in the Big Ten, especially at Ohio State.
"He possesses magnificent size for a linebacker and really plays downhill versus the run," Every added. "Grant has the size and speed to also rush of the edge and wreak havoc in the backfield."
The last couple of days for Grant were particularly tough and there was a strong tug to stay close to home for the big time linebacker. But the distance was something that Grant was prepared to deal with.
"It is not hard to leave home and I always kind of wanted to go out and expand my roots," Grant said. "My family will get out and see me at games that I am close to home and they will also try and make it to as many home games as they can as well."
Grant, ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the country, was National Signing Day's biggest prize. The top prospect, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, plans to sign on Feb. 14.
"I prayed on it and it came down to where my heart was at," Grant said. "I really felt it was Ohio State from the moment I first visited. I love the players there, the other recruits and everyone that I met. I really like the opportunity there."
The 6-foot-3, 222-pound linebacker picked Ohio State over Florida, Virginia and North Carolina and is ranked as a five-star prospect.
"All of the Ohio State coaches played a role in my recruitment but of course there was Jim Tressel," Grant added. "But Luke Fickell, Paul Haynes and (Taver Johnson) all played a big role too."
It appeared at one point that the Gators would be the team to beat for Grant but after Urban Meyer left the team, the Buckeyes upped the pressure. Tressel's steady approach to recruiting ended up landing the biggest of big prospects.
Rivals.com recruiting analyst Barry Every feels that Grant sizes up to a current Buckeye when it comes just to the looks test.
"(Grant is a) tall, wide-shouldered athlete with a very well-developed lower body," Every said in his review of Grant.
Grant's speed and agility are two things that he will need to work on when it comes to advancing his game. But he is still very well-suited to playing in the Big Ten, especially at Ohio State.
"He possesses magnificent size for a linebacker and really plays downhill versus the run," Every added. "Grant has the size and speed to also rush of the edge and wreak havoc in the backfield."
The last couple of days for Grant were particularly tough and there was a strong tug to stay close to home for the big time linebacker. But the distance was something that Grant was prepared to deal with.
"It is not hard to leave home and I always kind of wanted to go out and expand my roots," Grant said. "My family will get out and see me at games that I am close to home and they will also try and make it to as many home games as they can as well."
