OSU FOOTBALL
Update: Defensive lineman picks USC over OSU
Wednesday, February 2, 2005
Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
While at least 10 players who had committed to Ohio State already had signed their national letters of intent this morning, one prospect the Buckeyes were still seeking — defensive lineman Walker Ashley — opted to go with Southern Cal.
Mary Traynham, a secretary in the activities center of Eden Prairie (Minn.) High School, said that Ashley announced he is going to go with the defending national champion Trojans, then signed on the dotted line. He also had considered OSU, Minnesota and Penn State in the final days.
Thus OSU fans' attention now will turn to defensive lineman Lawrence Wilson of Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary. He is expected to announce his college choice — OSU, Notre Dame or Florida at about 3:40 p.m. EST on ESPN News.
He is the last remaining prospect on the bubble for the Buckeyes, who were left hanging by running back Jason Gwaltney of North Babylon, N.Y., on Tuesday afternoon. He chose West Virginia, to whom he has issued a commitment in the spring of 2004 before reconsidering OSU and Southern Cal in the last two months of the race.
While awaiting word from Wilson, the Buckeyes are expected to sign 17 other players today, led by several high-school All-Americans: running back Maurice Wells of Jacksonville (Sandalwood), Fla.; offensive lineman Alex Boone of Lakewood (St. Edward's); defensive back Jamario O'Neal of Cleveland (Glenville); and defensive end Doug Worthington of Athol Springs, N.Y.
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