West Virginia RB Jason Gwaltney (official thread)

[bucknut11]

It's not till Feb 1, so I'll assume a time hasn't been set yet. If it has, it won't matter to us for a few weeks anyways.

[jwinslow]

Here are 40+ photos of Gwaltney I tracked down when googling his name.

Anyone have any info on this premium chat on rivals?

[wadc45]

Nida...

hasn't been able to get in touch with McCarthy or his coach all week.

doesn't think Sanchez would rethink his USC committment unless there is a shakeup in the USC staff (i.e. PC).

hasn't heard Cushing mention OSU in some time.

has no idea who leads for Chris Wells.

thinks we end the class with Gwaltney, Wilson, and McCarthy.

thinks Ashley is headed to USC.

thinks OSU will go hard after Kearney.

[jimotis4heisman]

Originally Posted by bucknut11

It's not till Feb 1, so I'll assume a time hasn't been set yet. If it has, it won't matter to us for a few weeks anyways.

for sure...it got moved or is this old info?

[KramericaIntern]

I have long thought that Jason Gwaltney to USC was inevitable. But I can't shake a couple of the things that have been reported. First, the "insiders" come back from San Antonio saying OSU has a real shot. Then he visits the Rivals board and sets an announce date for this Wednesday. Then he moves the date back and Pete Carroll is coming in tonight (what was to be his announce date). Starting to sound like he was going to announce for OSU and Petey got him to delay it until they had a chance to talk it out. Maybe I'm seeing what I want to see but the messages are starting to add up. Also, there is absolutely NO EXCUSE for OSU not getting whatever assistant coaches they have left for an in-home as soon after the Petey visit as possible. He's proven over the past couple of years that you never want to give him the chance to have the last word. I'm still skeptical but believe we do indeed have a real shot.

[jimotis4heisman]

http://www.dispatch.com/football/foo...03.html&chck=t

OSU FOOTBALL
Fullback from New York keeps Buckeyes guessing
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH


Nothing is certain in college football recruiting until national letters of intent are signed, and so it might be with running back Jason Gwaltney.

The prospect from North Babylon, N.Y., said last week that he expected to announce his choice of Ohio State or Southern California this afternoon, two weeks before signing day. But there were several reports late yesterday that he now wants to visit Boston College.

Coming off the strongest performance of any back Saturday in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Gwaltney moved to No. 1 on recruiting expert Tom Lemming’s fullback list.

"He was one of the biggest surprises of the week," Lemming said of the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Gwaltney. "He has a chance to be a great player, an instant impact player. I never thought that until I saw him in person."

A week ago, it appeared Ohio State had gotten some sort of indication from Gwaltney that he was OSU-bound. The coaches opted to back off their pursuit of running back Conredege Collins of Miami, telling him they thought they had commitments from two running backs.

Then highly rated Maurice Wells of Jacksonville, Fla., committed to the Buckeyes on Saturday during the game in San Antonio and said afterward he expected to be one of two backs they get.

Of the 15 OSU commitments thus far, only Wells is listed at running back. Even though versatile and speedy Freddie Lenix, a linebacker from Cleveland Glenville, has the potential to carry the ball, it’s believed the coaches have other things in mind for him.

"It’s still very important to Ohio State if it can get (Gwaltney) because he has a chance to be an impact player, but it’s not quite as urgent because the Buckeyes have landed Maurice Wells," said recruiting expert Bill Kurelic of ohiostate.rivals.com. "The thing that was most important was that they get at least a running back in this class."

tmay@dispatch.com

[goodguy]

Originally Posted by KramericaIntern

I have long thought that Jason Gwaltney to USC was inevitable. But I can't shake a couple of the things that have been reported. First, the "insiders" come back from San Antonio saying OSU has a real shot. Then he visits the Rivals board and sets an announce date for this Wednesday. Then he moves the date back and Pete Carroll is coming in tonight (what was to be his announce date). Starting to sound like he was going to announce for OSU and Petey got him to delay it until they had a chance to talk it out. Maybe I'm seeing what I want to see but the messages are starting to add up. Also, there is absolutely NO EXCUSE for OSU not getting whatever assistant coaches they have left for an in-home as soon after the Petey visit as possible. He's proven over the past couple of years that you never want to give him the chance to have the last word. I'm still skeptical but believe we do indeed have a real shot.

Agreed, Wicked Pete is very persuasive during in-home visits. Sounds like we need a coach to show up after Pete for some Playstation. Umm, which coach would be best for that assignment??

[Brutus - NYC]

...how quickly recruits can forget about programs past successes. Regardless of my affiliation w/ OSU, I don't see why Gwaltney would choose USC over OSU. Let's see, he has a legitimate shot at starting from day one. OSU will be playing 2 consensus top 10 teams at home in September, in which he will be able to show the entire country that he is a great back as a freshman(I would be shocked if we weren't getting serious #1 ranking consideration throughout the land if we get through the September portion of our 2005 schedule undefeated). And finally, as much as other programs will not want to admit it, at OSU, running back is king and being the starting running back at OSU gets you a ton of press if you are any good (probably more press then you deserve).

Having said all that, he probably will choose USC b/c he seems to favor them, but he has to be kidding himself if he thinks he will have the same opportunity to prove himself right out of the gate. I don't think he is shy of competition in any way, but to say he will start over White, Bush and Dennis would be quite a stretch(I'm talking to you Petey boy).

[sandgk]

Originally Posted by goodguy

Agreed, Wicked Pete is very persuasive during in-home visits. Sounds like we need a coach to show up after Pete for some Playstation. Umm, which coach would be best for that assignment??

Is Archie G prohibited from going?
Not a coach - but what greater symbol of RB excellence and tradition could JG seek to see in front of him.

[kn1f3party]

I agree the starting job won't be as difficult to reach here, but it won't be easy. At this point, I'd really like to see him in S&G. But regardless, he has to do what is best for him. I guess if playing closer to home, winning the national championship, and having the greatest fan base behind you aren't important, you can always go to USC.

[doubleEbuck]

Originally Posted by sandgk

Is Archie G prohibited from going?
Not a coach - but what greater symbol of RB excellence and tradition could JG seek to see in front of him.

it is my understanding that anyone who is associated with the university like arch is, is prohibited from recruiting type activities. i'm not sure if i explained quite right.

anyone help me out on this one???

[jlb1705]

Don't send Archie - send PETE JOHNSON! He can tell Jason about all those TDs he was scoring even while sharing carries with <S>Maurice Wells</S> Archie Griffin.

[BGriffBuckeye]

Jason's status has been updated on Rivals:

Now the #3 RB... upgraded to a 5* recruit.... the #29 player in the country

Schools of interest:
Boston College Medium
Ohio State Medium
Southern Cal Medium
West Virginia Medium
Michigan State Low
UCF None

[souL]

Originally Posted by kn1f3party

winning the national championship... aren't important... go to USC

Thread highjack warning: he couldn't do that at USC?

[msj2487]

I said a while ago that I thought it was inevitable for JG to become a 5* recruit.