[OSUnumber45]

Originally Posted by LordJeffBuck

Actually, it isn't. Last season, ten uncommitted prospects visited Ohio State during a game day weekend - Derrick Morgan, Devon Still, James Scott, Greg Little, Deonte Thompson, Anthony Davis, James Wilson, Joseph Barksdale, Brian Rolle, and Major Wright (I'm not counting Clyde Yandell, who didn't have a Buckeye offer). Although many of those prospects had Ohio State as their leader or co-leader going into their visits (Still, Scott, Davis, Barksdale, Rolle, and Wright), only two of the ten (Scott and Rolle) ended up signing with Ohio State. Past years have netted similar results (worse, as a matter of fact). Kids just don't make decisions based on game day atmosphere, and why should they? They will be on the field doing their "jobs", and they won't be all that concerned with what is going on in the stands. If game day atomosphere were so important, then USC and Miami would sign mediocre classes every year; instead, they are always near the top of the recruiting charts.

First of all let me say that everybody that follows recruiting realizes how strange last year was.

Having said that, I've seen countless recruits say that OSU's (and other program's) game day atmospheres that blew them away. It certainly plays a part to some kids. Although it's likely not the major selling point. It certainly doesn't hurt. Didn't Pitt have kids decommit last year or this year because of their terrible game day atmosphere? It definitely is a factor. How big of one? Well that depends on the recruit.