Cincy
Clifford considers UC, commits to
OSU
Ex-coach Coombs' presence with Bearcats doesn't sway Colerain DB
BY TOM GROESCHEN |
TGROESCHEN@ENQUIRER.COM
Eugene Clifford made an oral commitment to the Ohio State football program back in September. Rumors that he might switch to the University of Cincinnati proved to be strictly rumors.
Clifford, a Parade All-America safety and Enquirer Division I player of the year this past season, signed with Ohio State Wednesday, the first day of the national letter of intent signing period.
Clifford gave a firm verbal commitment to
OSU Sept. 21, and he helped lead Colerain to a 13-1 season and state semifinals berth. But when Colerain coach Kerry Coombs left Dec. 17 to become University of Cincinnati defensive backs coach, speculation ran wild that Coombs would lure Clifford to UC.
"He left it up to me," Clifford said of Coombs. "I had a thought about it, but I had my mind set on Ohio State."
Clifford considered a recruiting visit to UC one weekend last month, but the trip never happened. Word was that Ohio State sent a coach to "babysit" Clifford that weekend, but Clifford will not discuss what did or did not happen.