Compiled By Stephen Spiewak
MaxPreps.com
Jeannette (Pa.) quarterback Terrelle Pryor ended months of speculation today by committing to Ohio State University, selecting the Buckeyes over Michigan, Penn State, and Oregon.
Pryor earned MaxPreps National Player of the Year honors last fall after piling up over 3,600 yards of total offense as a senior and leading his Jayhawks to a state title. The 6-foot-6, 220-pound two-sport star surprised many when he elected not to sign with any of his suitors last month on National Signing Day.
Today's National High 5 documents the career and recruiting process of one of the most highly publicized high school football players ever.
1. Fall 2005/ Winter 2006: As a rising sophomore on the hardwood, Pryor commits to stay home and play basketball for nearby Pittsburgh and coach Jamie Dixon. Realizing his football talents are developing even faster than his basketball skills, Pryor soon decides to de-commit and explore all options. The Jayhawks go 8-2 in football that season, losing their last two games. On the hardwood, they finish 24-4, with a loss to Quaker Valley ending their season.
2. December 27, 2006: Pryor is named a MaxPreps All American after a stellar junior season on the gridiron, gathering over 1,700 yards both on the ground and in the air. He led the Jayhawks to a 14-2 season and a birth in the state title game, a one-point loss to Wilson Area. In the winter, Pryor continues to solidify his reputation as a top basketball prospect. His Jayhawks finished 24-5, getting eliminated from the playoffs by a Herb Pope-led Aliquippa squad.
3. December 15, 2007: Now widely regarded as the top football prospect and player in the country, Pryor finishes a perfect season, scoring five touchdowns in a 49-21 rout of Dunmore. Less than two weeks later, he is named the MaxPreps National Offensive Player of the Year. He ends his football career with 4,250 yards rushing and 4,249 yards passing. While many top football players have already verbally committed to powerhouse programs, Pryor remains uncommitted, and hype around his looming decision grows. Former NFL quarterback Charlie Batch begins to mentor Pryor.
4. March 15 2008: After a tumultuous basketball season that saw Pryor jaw with heckling fans and the Jeannette Jayhawks get into a brawl with North Catholic, the Jayhawks hold off Strawberry Mansion to win the Class AA state title thanks in large part to Pryor's 23 points. He ends his basketball career with 2,285 points. Pryor, who held a nationally televised press conference on National Signing Day to announce that he had yet to choose a college, remains uncommitted. He has become arguably the most discussed recruit ever. In a testament to his burgeoning popularity, a Pennsylvania man creates an action figure of Pryor.
5. March 19, 2008: At a press conference held at Jeannette High School, Terrelle Pryor commits to Ohio State University. It is expected that Pryor will concentrate on football in college. Pryor cites a level of comfort with the coaches and players as a main reason he chose the Buckeyes.
National High 5 is a regular MaxPreps feature, highlighting top national high school news, game stories or human interest pieces from around the web. If wemiss something, please e-mail us at sspiewak@maxpreps.com and/or mstephens@maxpreps.com.
