West Virginia RB Jason Gwaltney (official thread)

[jwinslow]

Crap, I was trying to solace myself in the fact that we'd get CWells adn that we probably wouldn't face USC. Except that we do twice once Gwaltney is in his 3rd year

[jlb1705]

Originally Posted by LordJeffBuck

FWIW, Bill Kurelic, in his chat today, still thinks that OSU has a legit shot at Gwaltney; Kurelic is usually fairly pessimistic concerning OSU's chances with any given player, so the fact that he holds out some hope is encouraging.

That info makes sense, especially considering what happened with Conredge Collins. I'm still not gonna hold my breath on this one though.

[wadc45]

Football Recruits To Make Choices

Columbus Dispatch

Friday, January 14, 2005
Tim May

Jim Tressel of Ohio State is coaching a college all-star game Saturday in Florida, but he’ll have one eye on the U.S. Army High School All-American Classic in San Antonio.


During the game, running back Maurice Wells of Jacksonville, Fla., and linebacker Rico McCoy of Washington will be among at least 10 players who are expected to announce their college choice. Wells is expected to choose between Ohio State and Georgia Tech, with a possible late push from Southern California, and McCoy between Ohio State and Tennessee.

Running back Jason Gwaltney of Brooklyn, N.Y., had planned to announce his choice of Ohio State or USC on Saturday but pushed it back to Wednesday.

"It’s been hard for me to concentrate on this game because I’ve been thinking about my decision so much. I’m thinking about it all the time, just like a lot of these other players here," Gwaltney said yesterday.

Does he go to USC, which is coming off its second straight national title but is loaded at running back? Or does he go to Ohio State which, despite being investigated by the NCAA, won the national title in 2002 and has only two scholarship tailbacks returning?

"That’s why I really think Ohio State might be the place I go to, because I know I can come in and have a chance to make an impact," Gwaltney said. "But whatever decision I make, it’s got to be the best for me all around."

If Wells chooses Ohio State, it wouldn’t necessarily dissuade Gwaltney. Wells is a slashing speedster and Gwaltney more of a power back with good speed. Besides, the Buckeyes could use both because they have no true running back in the 2005 class.

They already have two commitments from linebackers, but adding McCoy would be ideal. All three starters from Ohio State’s 33-7 victory over Oklahoma State in the Alamo Bowl — A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Schlegel — will be seniors next season.

The Buckeyes will find out about McCoy and Wells during the all-star game, which will be televised nationally. That’s part of the lure of the game, said recruiting expert Tom Lemming, who was one of the forces behind its creation.

"On one hand, you have most of the nation’s top high-school football players in one game at the same time," he said. "On the other, you have quite a few of these guys announcing where they plan to go to college. For the people out there who care about recruiting, and there are millions of them, it’s a big day."

Like last year when, among others, Ted Ginn Jr. picked Ohio State over USC and Miami, and Adrian Peterson announced he was going to Oklahoma instead of Texas.

"I know for me it’s going to be a big decision, because I like Ohio State, and I like Georgia Tech as well," Wells said.

McCoy had leaned heavily toward Ohio State but leaned back toward Tennessee after making his official visit there. With the Buckeyes trying to gain commitments from probably no more than six prospects before signing day Feb. 2, "what happens Saturday could sew up one-third of those spots," said Bill Kurelic, recruiting expert for OhioState.rivals.com. "And in McCoy and Wells, you’re talking about two of the better players at their positions in the country."

[Oh8ch]

I like that he is delaying.

Get him back home and looking at the map with Mom and Dad - fresh from all the way out in Texas.

Let OSU explain one more time the implications of the Myles Brand statements - that the NCAA isn't likely to praise the actions a school is taking as progressive and then levy serious sanctions.

[BuckeyeChamps]

That is what I thought. Distance and playing time will be the major factors bringing JG to Columbus. All else is fairly equal.

[FKAGobucks877]

Originally Posted by goodguy

I don't get the opinion from most here at BP, that Gwaltney choosing another school would be a huge disappointment. Good if he comes, oh well if he doesn't. I kinda feel the same about Ashely too.

I will be very disappointed if Gwaltney doesn't come here. Well, that's probably too strong of a word, simply because I never had much hope to begin with...but I did have some. I really like this kid, and will be ecstatic if he chooses the Scarlet & Gray. Of course, I'm banking on McCoy and Wells coming, as well. I've always thought we had a decent shot at Gwaltney, from the comments he has made, even going back three and four months, but not as good as with Wells. We'll see, I guess...

[scribeohio]

confidence that JG is headed west. Some have even stated that OSU is 3rd in a 2 horse race which WVA is probably out of now. IMHO, keep expectations low for JG.

[osugrad21]

Originally Posted by scribeohio

confidence that JG is headed west. Some have even stated that OSU is 3rd in a 2 horse race which WVA is probably out of now. IMHO, keep expectations low for JG.

True and I agree to an extent. However, JG has also proven he is a very impulsive young man who changes his mind frequently. A situation like the AA game is a good opportunity for an impressionable kid to be swayed by already-committed recruits....

[Folanator]

Originally Posted by scribeohio

confidence that JG is headed west. Some have even stated that OSU is 3rd in a 2 horse race which WVA is probably out of now. IMHO, keep expectations low for JG.

I would have agreed except for the delay. Does not match what we all thought that he was going out West.

[BuckeyeChamps]

Originally Posted by scribeohio

confidence that JG is headed west. Some have even stated that OSU is 3rd in a 2 horse race which WVA is probably out of now. IMHO, keep expectations low for JG.

Why? So we'll be pleasantly surprised. Who are the some? It sounds like many people are afraid of another Fred Davis. This kid is different . I don't think he has said anything that has given us a definitive statement leading to USC. His comments have always been positive about tOSU, except for his worry about sanctions and those fears may have been eased. We are very much in the running.

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

I like that he is delaying.

I agree...if we were so out of the picture than the obvious choice based on his statements in the past would be USC, but the fact he delayed and just recently said he dislikes the shotgun (WV main formation) tells me we are definetly in the mix and if he is delaying after how hard USC has been recruiting him....I have to believe he is a 50/50 shot as of now.

It can only benefit him and OSU the longer he waits, if the smear campaign by ESPN and USC's National Championship hasnt swayed him to go west, what will? I have a feeling he is getting a taste of being far from home and looking at that USC depth chart.

No matter what a kid says......early playing time is huge for a kid. They all want to be the next Adrian Peterson or Teddy Ginn Jr. I think our chances are improving.

[DOG 44]

An article in the Columbus Dispatch has Gwaltney quoted as saying it may be hard for him to say no to the Bucks because of their Rb situation (lack of Rb's). I hope this is true and not the CD's playing with the young man's words. I would love to see him in a Scarlet and Gray #14 with Buckeye leaves covering that glittery helmet. Go Bucks!!!

[Taosman]

Our boys are recruiting him at the game! You just never know! May be some friendships were formed. Still, USC.

[AJHawkfan]

I have read as much about JG as everyone else has, and from what I can tell, he is really undecided. IMO, he is really torn as to where he should go. I think there is still a chance that he could choose USC, OSU and possibly even still a chance to go to WVU. I honestly don't think he's made up his mind and is wavering from one side to the other each day.

I fully expect his decision to come down to an eleventh hour coin flip.

[osugrad21]

<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1" width="98%"> <tbody><tr><td colspan="3">Scout Free





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USC or Ore for Rey?

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</td> <td valign="top"> Commitment Saturday
By Jamie Newberg National Recruiting Analyst
Date: Jan 14, 2005

The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is this Saturday on NBC at 1 p.m. Eastern. During the telecast there could be as many as 20 verbal commitments. While in San Antonio, Texas for coverage of the game I had a chance to talk with all the players and here are their finialists.
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One of the great things about the U.S. Army All-American Bowl over the previous four games was the players involved in the game made their college commitments during the game. Well, during Saturday’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl there will be as many as 20 players that will make their decisions known. Here is a breakdown of who is scheduled to make their commitments this weekend during the game.

</td></tr></tbody> </table> Jason Gwaltney (RB) North Babylon (N.Y.)
Down to – West Virginia, Ohio State and Southern Cal
“There is a possibility I will commit during the game on Saturday. I am not 100% sure just yet because I have been changing my mind every day.”

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