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LB Jerome Baker (Tennessee Titans)

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JEROME BAKER'S BIG DECISION, TOMMY KRAEMER TO VISIT AND DWAYNE HASKINS' SUMMER PLANS

SHAKE N' BAKE ABOUT TO HAPPEN?
Jerome Baker is hardly a secret to fans of Ohio State recruiting. The Cleveland Benedictine running back/linebacker is one of Ohio's top two players according to anyone who watches football and has long been considered a Buckeye "lean" according to those in the recruiting world. Just two weeks ago, the country's 4th-ranked athlete released a list of his top eight schools but on Sunday he announced he's ready to make a final decision on July 11th. What prompted the change?

"There is so much extra pressure and stress that comes with my senior year," Baker told Eleven Warriors. "I just want to get one thing out the way, and I have a pretty good indication where I will be going. So why wait?"

The decision is likely to come down to one of three schools: Ohio State, Florida and Tennessee. Baker has really visited both of the SEC schools and has planned to be at Ohio State on July 25th for Friday Night Lights. He says the differences between the schools are great.

"They were all different in their own way," he said. "I was looking for a feeling of 'home,' that's what I really wanted to feel."

Baker says he's in pretty regular contact with Ohio State, but that it doesn't necessarily mean his relationship with the Buckeyes is any better than with other schools.

"I talk with Ohio State almost every other week," Baker added. "I talk with Coach (Stan) Drayton the most."

Can the Buckeyes reel in the state's second-ranked player? Time will tell. Florida is — in my opinion — a legitimate concern. Baker says that when he commits there's still a chance he could take over visits and that he'll be eager to put on the "recruiter" hat when he's made his school choice.

"I might still take visits," he concluded. "I will be very active in recruiting other players to come to school with me. I'll talk to the coaches and I will help recruit players that are the best fit for our program."
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Multiple "insiders" are suggesting Florida has a real chance here (Birm, Stampini, nevada, etc.). My understanding is that the OSU coaches aren't viewing this as a slam dunk and may even be a little concerned themselves about Florida.
 
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Not that I'm looking to jump on after the fact, but in his most recent scout interview, it just felt like he connected with Florida the most. His comments on the 8 schools, he basically said Florida was where he felt was "him" the most, and didn't feel that anywhere else. They handled business the same way he likes to. The comments on OSU weren't overly glowing, saying they were the home school, however in going to college, one should want to experience something different. You take these articles for what their worth, but it comes down to "comfort and relationships" and it sounded as if Florida is where that's at.
 
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I'm hoping this is last minute smoke created by Baker to create some suspense over his announcement. I really hope he goes with the good guys, it would sting to lose him...we've addressed LB pretty well but it would hurt from a perspective of protecting our borders.
 
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I hope Jerome picks us and I think he will but in the off chance he selects Florida I don't see it sticking. When muschamp goes 6-6 or 7-6 and he will because he always has he will be gone.

Side note i'm happy where we are with our LBs and while I'd be disappointed if we didn't land Baker we have an awful lot of young guys already in the fold.
 
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