West Virginia RB Jason Gwaltney (official thread)

[buckiprof]

Alan - Thanks for the refutation of Sarra's "article". Sarra may be in line for a promotion to ESPN.

The author of the article, Gregg Sarra, claims now that the article is purely speculation on his part and he did not mean to cause such an uproar.

I believe Mr. Sarra needs to take another course in responsible journalism.

Along with everyone else here, I would love to see JG in scarlet and gray this fall. Whichever school he decides to attend, that school is getting not only a great athlete, but a great person.

[CleveBucks]

Sarra may soon have ESPiN and the NY Times fighting over his "services." He seems to fit the mold of both organizations.

[osugrad21]

Courtesy of WDG

Link


<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="620"> <tbody><tr><td colspan="2" class="showdate"> February 01, 2005 </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> WVU expected to be Gwaltney’s selection

</td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> By Mitch Vingle
Sports Editor </td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">The courtship of tailback Jason Gwaltney is expected to end at 5:20 p.m. today on ESPNEWS.

And all indications are the back will announce his intentions to play at West Virginia University.

A report on Newsday.com said Gwaltney had made his decision late Sunday, according to “a family source.’’ The Gazette confirmed the decision on Monday. However, until Gwaltney signs his national letter-of-intent on Wednesday, the NCAA’s signing day, nothing is binding.

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</td> </tr> </tbody></table>The tailback, who starred for Long Island’s North Babylon High, N.Y., originally gave WVU a commitment. He drew back, however, as the recruiting process went along. Gwaltney visited national champion Southern Cal as well as Ohio State, Michigan State and Central Florida.

The back narrowed his choices to WVU, USC and Ohio State.

“It’s been a very long road to make a decision,’’ North Babylon coach Terry Manning told Newsday. “No, let me change that, because it’s been a ridiculous road to a decision. It’s been very stressful on the kid and Team Gwaltney. We’ve investigated and checked out every school to a T. And I know he’s put a tremendous amount of energy in making the right choice and that he’s comfortable with his decision. But he did change his mind like 16 times so until he signs that piece of paper, I’m not convinced he’s going anywhere.’’

WVU coaches, however, made a strong push late, visiting Gwaltney this past Thursday. On Friday, the back reportedly bought a plane ticket and flew to Morgantown, spending two days off-campus.

“I’ve had such a tough time making a decision because everyone involved has been so accommodating and made such a great presentation about their school,’’ Gwaltney told Newsday. “There are so many reasons why I should go to USC. And so many reasons I should go to Ohio State. And West Virginia started recruiting me when I was a sophomore. I have changed my mind so many times.’’

Rich Berry, Gwaltney’s father, tried to downplay the Newsday story on Monday.

“ I don’t know what’s going on with that,’’ Berry told the Gazette. “We’re having a little problem with Newsday up there. [Gwaltney] didn’t say [he would sign with WVU] directly. I don’t know where they got that.’’

The back is Long Island’s all-time leading scorer and rusher. Scooter Berry, Gwaltney’s half-brother, is also expected to sign with the Mountaineers.

In other WVU recruiting news, Becky Sowers, mother of Kennedy Award winner Nate Sowers, confirmed her son would sign with the Mountaineers on Wednesday. A visit from Marshall head coach Bob Pruett to Martinsburg last week fueled speculation the quarterback may move away from WVU.

“We went to Morgantown this past weekend,’’ Becky Sowers said on Monday. “He’s decided he’s definitely going to WVU. It’s all settled.’’

</td></tr></tbody> </table>

[JCOSU86]

No way. He is a USC lock.

[wadc45]

The Gwaltney Diary (Premium)

Jason gives a broad outline of his recuitment from September 1st of his junior year until now. He explains why he commited early to WVU and how he almost commited to USC during his official, saying that he learned about the "visit high"...he could understand why so many recruits commit during their visit or right after.

He says today is the big day and that one group of fans is going to be happy while the others will be disappointed.

[Alan]

He said that the news presser is on for 5:20 pm

He also said that "jason is very strong and confident with the decision he came to" and that he "wishes he could go to all 3 schools." There was no "one deciding factor" that led to his decision as "jason genuinely likes all of the coaches, schools and players."

Coach Manning did add that "it is nice to see him catch his breath" in regards to relieving the pressure he was under until he made his decision. "Jason is back to being the relaxed, happy kid I am used to."

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

Thanks for the update, bro.

[Frohlich]

Thanks for confirming Alan. Though I am not real high on our chances it will be nice to see this finally coming to an end.

[GoofyBuckeye]

so Alan, can this be a new thread dedicated to opinion and odds on Gwaltney coming here? I can't get enough of that.

[BuckeyeNation27]

Originally Posted by GoofyBuckeye

so Alan, can this be a new thread dedicated to opinion and odds on Gwaltney coming here? I can't get enough of that.

damn man...who pissed in your cheerios this morning?

[scooter1369]

Thanks for the info, Alan. You've been great through this whole circus. I appreciate the work you do for us.

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

Normally, it's my job to piss in people's cheerio's.. Today, however, I had to piss on Michael Jackson instead.

Ok.. Ok... Ok... back on topic.

[GoofyBuckeye]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeNation27

damn man...who pissed in your cheerios this morning?

I'm just being an as.....a butthead. This time every year the country gets crowded with Miss Cleo wannabes...it's just humorous to me.

Originally Posted by Buckeyeskickbuttocks

Normally, it's my job to piss in people's cheerio's.. Today, however, I had to piss on Michael Jackson instead.

Ok.. Ok... Ok... back on topic.

God bless America..where else can you find thousands of people dressing up like a child molester?

[ScarletInMyVeins]

Do you guys think after this recruiting season is over that we might be blessed with a visit from DiHard?

Oh yeah, good job Alan and keep up the good work!

[MililaniBuckeye]

I can just imagine the Chernobyl II meltdown over at Bustnuts if Gwaltney doesn't commit to us...