DT Doug Worthington (official thread)

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

“I’m very excited to come and play for the man because I know he’s an honest man and he’s a hard working guy who’s going to help take me where I need to be.

Good to hear this........I am not worried he will go elsewhere.

[Buckskin86]

free Bnuts

Worthington Says Fans Have Nothing To Worry About
By Kyle Lamb
Date: Nov 22, 2004

Defensive end Doug Worthington of Athol Springs (N.Y.) St. Francis committed to Ohio State in September, but since then, he has stated his desire to take visits to some other schools. But after this weekend's game against Michigan, Worthington said that the trips are nothing to worry about and that he will be a Buckeye next year. Kyle Lamb has more.


The bad news, as far as Ohio State fans may be concerned -- Doug Worthington will be taking a few other visits despite his commitment to the Buckeyes. The good news, however, is that Worthington visited Ohio State this weekend and is even more solid than ever.

“Yeah I’m going to take a few other visits, but they are nothing to worry about,” Worthington told Bucknuts on Sunday evening. “This weekend was incredible. I had the time of my life.”

Worthington is a 6-7 275-pound defensive end from Athol Springs, N.Y. who committed to the Buckeyes in Mid-September.

This was the second game he’s been to in person, as he also watched the game against Purdue last season.

He couldn’t say enough about the atmosphere.

“It was an awesome game,” Worthington said. “I was amazed at everything. The festivities and everything going on was just an amazing experience. I got to walk with the team over from St. John Arena and I got to hear the band and everything.”

Worthington feels he owes it to the process to take a few visits and check out some other places. That didn’t stop him from trying to persuade other recruits to attend Ohio State.

He and some of the other commitments all turned up the heat.

“I was with Alex a lot, and I got to talk to Rob (Schoenhoft) and Ryan (Williams) a lot too,” he added. “We tried to talk to the guys who haven’t committed yet, like the RB from Florida (Maurice Wells). I talked to him and told him he needs to get on the ball and join us.”

“We talked a lot, we hung out, we cracked jokes to one another, and got to know each other,” he added. “We all bonded really well.”

As far as his visiting other places, that’s something he continues to do just as procedure.

He has a very loose outlook on how to phrase his taking other visits.

“I’d call them vacation visits,” Worthington said. “Just visits to go see some campuses, talk to other players, and get to see other stadiums.”

He’s contemplated visits to Virginia Tech, Boston College, and Penn State amongst many other teams.

Penn State has turned up the pressure in trying to get back involved.

“Oh sure, they are really knocking down the door just like all the other Big Ten schools are,” he added. “It doesn’t hurt them to ask, but it won’t do any good.”

The attention from Ohio State fans on his visit really surprised Worthington. He couldn’t fathom they knew him so well.

“It was wild, I was walking around and there were all these people shouting my name, saying 'Hi' to me, and welcoming me on campus and wishing me good luck,” he explained. “It was really incredible. They were all so nice and so kind.”

Above all else, he didn’t mind that little contest they consider to be “The Game”, either.

“The game was incredible, but I knew it would be,” Worthington said. “I had no doubt we were going to come out fired up and win that game. Everything was just crazy.”

Worthington was asked to characterize his visits elsewhere once again, and asked if Buckeye fans would have anything to worry about.

He was resolved in his intentions.

“Oh don’t worry,” he said matter-of-factly. “I’m going to be there (at Ohio State next year). Believe me.”

[ScarletInMyVeins]

“The game was incredible, but I knew it would be,” Worthington said. “I had no doubt we were going to come out fired up and win that game. Everything was just crazy.”

That's a pretty good quote too!

[MegaWoody]

Agreed, Scarlet. When they start using the "we" word, you know they're hooked up pretty tight.

[Buckskin86]

Rivals premium-Kurelic

He loved the game and atmosphere. He got to meet alot of the other recruits and their parents (Alex Boone, Jim Cordle, Kevin Bemoll, Ryan Williams and Mo Wells). He also met Jay Rich's mom, who is the head of the parents group.

He is solid with the Bucks even though he may take one more visit (to enjoy the experience). He will probably take his official on Dec. 3rd (unless there is a conflict with his BBall schedule).

[Buckskin86]

Rivals premium

He is very excited about his tOSU official visit this upcoming weekend. He still has not taken any other official visits (he was supposed to go to BC this past weekend but didn't make it). He may go to Alabama, Wisky or Florida in the future. He says he is "real solid" for the Bucks.

[crazybuckfan40]

I think he will help us in recruting Rico and maybe Ashley this weekend and hopefully we can gain even more momentum. We might be finished by the AA game when Mo Wells gives us his verbal.

I hope Doug has a great time and decides not to take his other visits.

[bucknut11]

Don't forget Gwaltney (and maybe McCoy?) verballing for us at the AA game as well.


Great post award for that?! Man, someone with power is pumped about Worthington....

[Buckskin86]

Rivals premium

Coach Daniels went to Doug's BBall game last week and got to meet his parents.

Now Doug visits tOSU this weekend (arriving in C-bus at 2:00 today-he should be able to catch a practice session). Jay Rich will be his host.

He has become close with a number of the other tOSU recruits especially Alex Boone.

Other schools (PSU, Wisky and Fla) have been visiting his school and he still may take another visit. But he will be a Buckeye.

[Buckskin86]

Rivals premium

He said his official went great and said he is definitely still committed to tOSU. But he still will take a few other visits to experience other schools. He is looking at Wisky on Dec. 17th and Florida in January (probably with Andre Mathis) and maybe Alabama. But he repeated a number of times in the interview that he is solid with tOSU.

He said it went even better than expected and he met and "chilled" with Ashley, McCoy and Mathis. He said everyone enjoyed it. He also had a chance to meet alot of the current players.

[Siva Retsub Buc]

Worthington is easily a Top 5 valuable player in this class. The 5 things we need the most are...

Top RB - Wells or Gwaltney (heck, give me both)
Stud OT - Alex Boone (need those tackles to protect the QB)
Stud DE - Doug Worthington
Stud LB - Rico McCoy or Lamont Robinson (heck, give me both here too)
Stud DB - Jamario O'neal

Getting these players 5-7 of those above, would seal the deal on this recruiting class.

[Buckskin86]

Rivals premium

He had a great time on his official visit, so good of a time he wants to go to a few other schools and have a similar experience. He dad is also encouraging him to take advantage of this once in a life time experience. He will see Wisky Dec. 17th and Florida Jan. 7th.

Doug and dad tried to sell the uncommitted recruits. He and Alex Boone spent alot of time talking to Ashley. Doug says it is between tOSU and USC for Walker. Doug and Walker both commented that tOSU is a "perfect fit" for them.

He is not worried about the Clarett stuff but some of the other kids were a little concerned. Doug felt we would have had some commitments already (probably talking about McCoy) if it wasn't for the Clarett stuff. They got more solid but weren't ready to commit and are still looking at other schools.

He was hosted by J. Rich and Marcus Green. He met with other players, coaches etc. JT showed him his "ring" collection. Doug would like to help him win another.

Again, he says he is SOLID for tOSU.

Obviously the other coaches are using the Clarett stuff against tOSU. Not suprising, but hopefully the tOSU coaches can combat the propaganda effectively.

[crazybuckfan40]

I he has said all along he is solid and he will be a buckeye. I am not worried about him taking any visits to have a little bit of fun. I mean he is recruiting players to go to tOSU. Hopefully he can convince Ashley to join him and make this d-line class awesome.

[Buckskin86]

Bnuts premium

More of the same

* he had a great time chillin' with Mathis, Boone, McCoy
* he really liked J Rich (his host), who was honest with him about tOSU
* he is very impressed with Coach Heacock and his defensive schemes
* he going to take more visits but is SOLID to tOSU (he will visit Wisky Dec. 17, Florida Jan. 7, BC Jan. 21)
* he loves Boone, Schoenhoft and Denlinger
* he hopes nothing happens with the MoC decision but if it does then he will look back on his decision and see what he will have to do
* he will graduate in May but may come down a month or so early and stay with Kyle Mitchum (who is a good friend and is a big reason he committed).

[MililaniBuckeye]

Just checked the scout database and Doug is now a 5-star (#50 overall).

Scout Profile