Home › Football Recruiting
Pryor to attend Ohio State
STORY TOOLS
More Football Recruiting
- Vols in long line for top lineman
- Web cams new tool for coaches to connect
- Vols appear to be strong leader for Giles
Share and Enjoy [?]
Get Reprints
JEANNETTE, Pa. — Oregon was too far away. Penn State was too rural. Michigan was a close second.
Terrelle Pryor, the highly touted western Pennsylvania prep quarterback, announced Wednesday that he will play for Ohio State.
The 6-foot-6, two-sport star — flanked by his parents, two younger siblings and some of his coaches — made the announcement on the auditorium stage at Jeannette Senior High School near Pittsburgh, where Pryor had one of the greatest prep careers in state history.
“If everyone’s here,” Pryor said to start the news conference, “University of Ohio State.” He then unzipped his windbreaker to reveal an Ohio State T-shirt and donned an OSU hat. His parents, Craig and Thomasina, also revealed Ohio State shirts.
Pryor, considered by many scouts to be the top-rated unsigned high school recruit in the country, said he couldn’t go wrong with any of the four schools he considered.
But he said the car trip for his family to games in Columbus, Ohio, is shorter than the flights they would have to take to Oregon. Penn State was too “countryside.” And despite a last-minute push by new Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez, Pryor decided Ohio State is best for him, even though senior Todd Boeckman is the entrenched starter and Pryor felt he would have a chance to start as a freshman at Michigan.
“I can learn from a senior,” Pryor said, “and whenever I can get in on some plays, I can make something happen.”
Pryor said he didn’t make a final choice until Wednesday morning.
When he told Jim Tressel, the coach said, “Welcome to the family.”
As for his final call with Rodriguez: “He was still recruiting me, giving me lines,” Pryor said. “Coach Rod did his job. He’s going to be a great coach — he is a great coach. He’ll make stuff happen (at Michigan).”
Pryor called a Feb. 6 news conference to announce his choice, then said he wasn’t sure.
Tressel said he was impressed by that, given that Pryor was trying to help his high school basketball team to a state title and was mulling conflicting advice from friends and family.
Tressel said Pryor felt like “there’s a whole bunch of people that are very important in my life who think I should give this some more thought. He respected them and he loves them. So I think he’s grossly misunderstood.”
Pryor’s advice to other recruits: “Pick early. You don’t want to go through it.”
Asked about advice from his father and others, Pryor said simply, “I’m an 18-year-old kid and I feel like a man. I’ve got to make choices for myself.”
One person noticeably absent Wednesday was Charlie Batch, the backup Steelers quarterback and family friend who advised Pryor. Pryor said the former Detroit Lions starter, who played at Eastern Michigan in college, was pushing Michigan.
Batch was in Hawaii during the announcement.
“He’s up right now, texting me actually. I mean, he’s cool with my decision,” Pryor said. “He’s just trying to see which one would be, for me, better to get in the NFL.”
Pryor brushed off local talk show criticism about his image stemming from his non-announcement last month, and a scuffle earlier this month between some Jeannette players and another team after a recent state playoff game.
“I’m not worried about none of that,” Pryor said. “I think the football field will speak for itself. I mean, that’s why you are here, right? Whether I was a bad kid or not, you are still here.”
Pryor said he doesn’t seek attention. “Ask my teammates, ask anybody around here. That’s not how I am. I don’t like being in the spotlight at all. I didn’t ask to be No. 1 in the country.”
Ohio State signed 19 players last month and had been holding a 20th scholarship for Pryor.
Pryor is the only Pennsylvania player to both rush and pass for at least 4,000 yards. He also scored 2,285 points in basketball. Pryor doesn’t plan to play college basketball because he said it will interfere with his goal of becoming a top quarterback.
“I mean, we just want to work hard and do whatever we can to help Coach Tress get over that little hump he got — that little championship losing two years in a row,” Pryor said.
© 2008, The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
- Pearl can take the heat - and jokes - at roast
- Ex-UT standout Randall named coach at Ohio
- Mannings wanting no Super Bowl loser
- Florida player dismissed after using dead woman's credit card
- Web cams new tool for coaches to connect
- Adams: Graduation is better than a touchdown for Staley
- Dose of reality for ex-Vol Parrish
- Rhodes, Lady Vols knock off Georgia in SEC opener
- It's official: Maze signs with UT
- Cordell Passley, who was once in UT's plans, signs with Vincennes
Posted by bigorangedude on March 19, 2008 at 12:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No big surprise here!
Posted by volunteer4life2 on March 19, 2008 at 12:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And the rich get richer
Posted by utvolz on March 19, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Big whoop, who cares about this as he was never coming to UT, even if Cut were still here.
Frank in Miami
Posted by IPOrange on March 19, 2008 at 12:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Waiting several weeks to announce his intentions backfired on Pryor. Nobody cares at this point.
His "me, me, me" attitude will not benefit a team's cohesive structure.
Posted by bigorangedude on March 19, 2008 at 12:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Usually when someone is this highly regarded and recruited out of high school, they either end up being a flop, or injured, etc. Once this guy hits the college level things will be different. Jimmy Clausen was supposed to be the best ever, and I know he was a freshman last year, but I just dont see him being a superstar. I think Jimmy Clausen will end up doing as well as Casey his brother maybe, but I don't see him being a superstar, and the same may hold true for Pryor, we'll just have to wait and see
Posted by HotlantaVol on March 19, 2008 at 12:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ohio State - They will always be second Vest.
Posted by mparker on March 19, 2008 at 12:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You know, after a while you see all kinds of teams win NC's. LSU, with a decent D and averge Offeinse, UF with a GREAT D and average offense...
UTexas with NO D and GREAT offense...
You can go on and on.
With the convoulted, crooked system we now are forced to endure (because the SEC won't stand up to the Big Tin), getting to and winning the NC is a function of good fortune as much as it is talent or coaching.
OSU is the perfect example: they have a Hesiman winner and 2 NC appearances in 2 years becasue they play in the Big-10; put'em over in the PAC-10, or SEC, and see how their record will slump.
BTW, I always get a kick when the talking heads go on anout UMich's record against the SEC. Then, you see that most of it is against Vandy.
Posted by King53 on March 19, 2008 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
now he can concentrate on helping Ohio State be the second best team in the country each year
Posted by nafslov on March 19, 2008 at 1:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
He can be "part" of the team that an SEC team BEATS yearly ! Vinson and Berry can play "circles around" this kid ! Go Vols !
Posted by VOLstuckINky on March 19, 2008 at 1:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The O & 9 unviersity .....
Posted by arkyvol on March 19, 2008 at 1:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
don't you know rich r. is crying in his beer.
Posted by volunteer_cowboy on March 19, 2008 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
not taking his side or anything,but he had to play the state championship basketball games on penn states campus and he stated he didnt want booing and signs and hecklers and that sort of stuff so he waited until afterwards and i can understand that. i also wouldnt doubt that his parents and coach of the basketball also ask him to wait to announce if he wasnt going to penn state. saved alot of turmoil for his bball teamates. i can understand, he knew where he was going a month ago, just didnt want to cause a scene....
Posted by Chattavegas on March 19, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I guess that he is doing what is best for him. I am extremely biased, but the SEC has the greatest athletes year in and year out. When the SEC plays a regular season game, it is like two heavy weights throwing body blows. The AP knows this and will reward us accordingly. I don't care if OSU makes it to the championship game as long as the SEC champion is there to beat them.......as usual.
Posted by drum56 on March 19, 2008 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
still want be able to beat an sec team!
Posted by IPOrange on March 19, 2008 at 1:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
volunteer_cowboy, that's the first explanation I have heard about Pryor postponing his announcement that actually makes sense. If that's the case, then I retract my previous statements about him.
Posted by BigVolinCarolina on March 19, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No surprise here. Let's face it, Vol fans: we'd love to have him on our side.
However, we never had a chance with him because, eventhough he liked Coach Cut, we all knew that Coach Cut would likely be gone after his second season, which was 2007.
This idea that he was gonna come to UT was more of a myth in light of Coach Cut's status. Let's not bash the kid just because he didn't come here. Atleast he didn't trash UT like other highly touted QB's over the past few years.
Posted by jh43 on March 19, 2008 at 1:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
He wants to play in the Little 10 because he knows he can rack up some numbers against those weak sisters. Real men like to play in the SEC because they like to go against the best. Others like the numbers game. We don't need people like him at UT, or in the SEC.
Posted by dickthompson1 on March 19, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If he really knew how to say the name of his chosen college ,he should have called them "Thee Ohio State University" ,as they arrogantly refer to themselves.
VOLstuckINky---agree with you . SEC refers to them as " Thee 0 & 9 University"
Posted by vols76 on March 19, 2008 at 1:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Rank him right up with Leak and Sims, great Pro quarterbacks.......right....if he really wanted to go be a pro quarterback he should have went to Duke, Coach Cut has coached to SuperBowl winners at quarterback, can any other College Coach walk in those shoes? Pryor probably could not make the JVC basketball team at Duke? Go Vols.
Posted by footballfella on March 19, 2008 at 2:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Its easy to talk crap about a player when he doesn't choose the school your a fan of. The bottom line is that he's a great player and while all great players don't pan out in college or the nfl, Ohio State is excited to have him and they should be. I'm sure if he was interested in Tennessee they wouldn't be complaining and neither would fans who can't look at the big picture.
Posted by pdhuff on March 19, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Didn't want booing and hecklin"! Boy howdy, throw a couple of interceptions vs Michigan. He'll see.
Maybe he'll be the next Coming, maybe he won't.
It will be interesting to see the first time he gets blind-sided by a 248lb DE rather than a 170lber. Welcome to big time football.
Didn't like his disdain for "rural". Wonder which is bigger, Columbus or Eugene?
Posted by KingsportVol on March 19, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The fastest Pryor ever was Richard.Ran a 3.4 40 with his damn hair on fire.Beat that Terrelle.We have the real deal at QB.Go Crompton Go Big Orange!
Posted by thesavageorange on March 19, 2008 at 2:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
pdhuff ,I was thinking the same thing.He may not have to wait long, they have a little stroll down to LA on Sept 13th.Good news is ,maybe they will get waxed bad enough early that even the northern media will say ,you know what not this yr.
The other thing that bothers me is he has now shown other HS prospects how to grab some airtime.Example:Marlon Brown has already said he doesn't think he will make a decision before NSD.Think he saw the Pryor circus?
Posted by footballfella on March 19, 2008 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
to answer your question pdhuff:
Eugene Oregon - 153,690 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene,_...)
Columbus Ohio - 733,203 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbus...)
I don't agree with him taking his time like this either it doesn't set a good example for the younger players that others might follow that. Or maybe he really was trying to make up his mind. It is a life changing decision and I wouldn't want to rush into something like that either....
Posted by thesavageorange on March 19, 2008 at 2:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
footballfella ,I understand where you're coming from ,but why have a NSD if kids don't have to sign.If they want to make it later then make it later.All 3 schools were holding a scholorship for him that could have been used for another kid.
I hope you're correct that he was really just not sure b/c the odds are already stacked against him.Here is a list of the #1 ranked QB's pro & dual beetween 02' & 05'.
Vince Young
Kyle Wright
Ben Olson
Mark Sanchez
Robert Lane
Rhett Bomar
Xavier Lee
Ryan Perrilloux
Young is the only one that has or did come close to meeting expectations.
Point:Pryor may have just added alot of unneeded pressure on himself.
Posted by mtoms1272 on March 19, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Eugene more like Knoxville. Columbus more like Nashville or Memphis. I like how everyone bashes kids that don't pick the Vols! Be happy for the kid. The way we are playing now, we won't see him on the field anyway.
Posted by thesavageorange on March 19, 2008 at 2:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
mtoms1272 ,Everyone knew he wasn't coming to UT back in Novemmber, so I don't think anyone is bashing him for not coming here, just debating the way it was handled.
If they want a NSD in Feb, then make it Feb.If they want it in March make it March.
Posted by pdhuff on March 19, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I love it he considers 153,000 Oregonians rural.
I think there's less than 35 that live on nearly 5 miles of this creek. No text message-he'd go bonkers.
I bet he's never washed a lawn mower off in the creek like I did this morning. Just used water. Respect the EPA.
He's probably getting sized for his ear bob as we speak. Wish him well. Don't get into dog fighting with your cousins. LOL
Posted by rbhobbs73 on March 19, 2008 at 3:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Look, I am a UT alum and HUGE Vols fan, but why are we attacking a kid that chooses to play football at Ohio State? It is not like they don't have more National Titles and Conference titles than we do, as well as more players in the NFL.
This kid is from Pennsylvania. He didn't grow up dreaming of playing for UT or the SEC. He lives in the Big 10 region and the 3 schools he vistited in Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State are all excellent football programs with great tradition.
I know the SEC is the best, and I believe UT is the best place to play football in the United States, but that doesn't mean everyone in every state feels the same.
It just makes us sound ignorant when we bash every other program out there.
Go VOLS!!!
Posted by thesavageorange on March 19, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
rbhobbs73,Again I don't think most of us are bashing Pryor as a person or player, just the way he handled the stuation.
The ones poking fun at OSU is probably more related to the northern media bias they receive moreso than OSU itself.Don't think it exist?
Heisman trophy winners:
Ohio state 7
The entire SEC 7
Tennessee: Four 2nd place finishers; Hank Lauricella in 1951,
Johnny Majors 1956, Heath Shuler 1993 & Peyton Manning 1997
Posted by KingsportVol on March 19, 2008 at 3:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
agree thesavageorange
Posted by invisiblekid on March 19, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is me being shocked that he didn't follow The Guru to Duke :(O.
I can buy the explanation about not wanting to distract his basketball team, what I cannot buy is the fact that a kid who supposedly doesn't like attention did an interview with Rivals from his front porch after National Signing Day.
I think other high profile kids will follow his lead and we will soon be subjected to a National Signing Week instead of day. Rivals and the like will reap the benefits as they scour the country for the next 5th grader with a rocket for an arm. Recruiting becomes more of a joke each passing year IMO.
Posted by philfan on March 19, 2008 at 5:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Pryor will wish he had signed with the Volunteers, Gators, Hawgs, or Bulldogs before he graduates from OSU, because the chances are he will be playing one of these teams in a BCS Bowl. We all know what happens when OSU plays an SEC team in a BCS bowl game.
Posted by General_Fritter on March 19, 2008 at 5:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Majors and Manning should have been locks.
Shuler probably finished 2nd correctly to Charlie Ward.
Not sure about Lauricella
Posted by thesavageorange on March 19, 2008 at 6:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Alabama: 12 National championships & no Heisman
(that's nuts, not that I'm upset w/ it though.lol)
Arkansas: Darren McFadden runner up in 2006 and 2007.
(2006 Troy Smith/Wrong IMHO)
Ole Miss: Three 3rd place finishers; Jake Gibbs 1960, Archie
Manning 1970 & Eli Manning 2003.
(Jim Plunkett 1970/can,t argue.2003Jason White debatable)
Agree General on Majors and Manning.I remember Terry Fair having similar Defensive and return stats as Woodson.The only difference was Woodson caught 25 passes.Maybe if we chucked it to Fair 25 times, we would have our trophy!
Posted by nicksjuzunk on March 19, 2008 at 7:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I know he's a talent but he really seems to be completely full of himself.
"Whether I was a bad kid or not, you are still here.”
That is a pro-athlete mentality and this kid hasn't even graduated high school! If he wants to put off his decision so it won't distract his team, fine. But he milked it for all it's worth... and then a bit more.
I am glad he is not a vol. We'll have to see how he does. I wonder if he'll live up to the hype.
Posted by utwick on March 19, 2008 at 8:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is a topic more suited to ESPN. Give me more news about Tennessee kids that are hot prospects and what UT is doing to attract them to Knoxville.
Posted by murrayvol on March 19, 2008 at 9:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Rodriguez must be pulling his fingernails out about now. If Pryor is as good as advertised (and most analysts seem to think he is) he would have fit Rich Rod's offense much better than Tressel's.
I hope we face this kid someday because it would likely be at a BCS venue.
Posted by awhill00 on March 19, 2008 at 10:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And we care about this WHY?
Posted by wjackson on March 20, 2008 at 7:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
awhill00 You mean you care about this why? The debate (once again) is about attitude of young players and what signing to a team has turned into. Kind of like a circus. All it will take is for a couple of these superkids to fail. And it will calm back down. And I agree about The Ohio State U. Here is a great question. How many of the haters on this site would be out if we were 0-9 against the Big 10 in big bowls. Time will tell with this kid. No one is wishing him bad. We are just laughing at ohio state. And we can until they beat a SEC team in a BCS bowl.
Posted by wjackson on March 20, 2008 at 7:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
awhill00 You mean you care about this why? The debate (once again) is about attitude of young players and what signing to a team has turned into. Kind of like a circus. All it will take is for a couple of these superkids to fail. And it will calm back down. And I agree about The Ohio State U. Here is a great question. How many of the haters on this site would be out if we were 0-9 against the Big 10 in big bowls. Time will tell with this kid. No one is wishing him bad. We are just laughing at ohio state. And we can until they beat a SEC team in a BCS bowl.
Posted by wjackson on March 20, 2008 at 7:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
awhill00 You mean you care about this why? The debate (once again) is about attitude of young players and what signing to a team has turned into. Kind of like a circus. All it will take is for a couple of these superkids to fail. And it will calm back down. And I agree about The Ohio State U. Here is a great question. How many of the haters on this site would be out if we were 0-9 against the Big 10 in big bowls. Time will tell with this kid. No one is wishing him bad. We are just laughing at ohio state. And we can until they beat a SEC team in a BCS bowl.
Posted by wjackson on March 20, 2008 at 7:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What the? I only hit post this once. Is John Adams running this site?
Posted by tvol40 on March 20, 2008 at 8:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Break a leg kid! No, really!
Posted by DadwasaVol on March 20, 2008 at 9:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I was hoping Pryor would end up at Duke.
Posted by JWilly on March 20, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What this kid does or does not do makes little difference to me, but I can't help but wonder about his future plans and his decision making process when he does not even know the name of the institution he is going to attend(he called it The University of Ohio State) .
Posted by General_Fritter on March 20, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe Ohio State can beat an SEC team in the near future. Snicker.
Posted by Indianavol on March 20, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This guy is all about himself and will be a bust at OSU.
Posted by murrayvol on March 21, 2008 at 10:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
DadwasaVol: He may have been a bit conflicted but he's not crazy.
Posted by jamcdaniel79 on March 23, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
what does OSU sell? Being second best in the country at best every year and then resuming its position of losing to Michigan?
(Requires free registration.)
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.