No "Pryor" Commitment

February 6th, 2007 was a memorable day. As far as I can remember, it was the most highly anticipated signing day in recent college football history. One of the most highly touted recruits in a long time, Terrelle Pryor, was getting ready to tell the nation where he would be attending college. Well, he didn't disappoint, himself at least. As almost anyone who doesn't live under a rock knows, Pryor decided to not decide. Wait, that can't be right. What is going on? You are supposed to sign on signing day. Well, not for this Five Star All-American. Pryor told ESPN as well as everyone else that he was going to play the waiting game and take his time. He can wait until April 1st before he chooses his college. And from that day on, some of the country's most notable programs have had to take an even deeper breath to bear the weight of his decision.

Terrelle Pryor hails from Jeannette, PA, where he, according to many, became the nation's number one QB if not the number one overall player in high school. Until Rich Rodriguez took the job at Michigan, Ohio State was the clear front runner and rightfully so. Any kid who gets a letter from that school will be impressed. They have clearly owned the Big Ten as of late and Jim Tressel seems to be one of the top recruiters and coaches in the game today. But, a recent surge by Michigan and a new 21st century attitude towards football could combine success with the tradition. Penn State and Joe Paterno, as I would assume, have been playing the "home state" card and that always has an effect. In my opinion, PSU wouldn't really be in it if it weren't for that fact right there. Let's be honest, Michael Robinson had a decent senior season due mostly to a devastating defense. But besides that, Kerry Collins is the best Penn State QB in recent history. Yeah, PSU should stick to their linebacking. I see Oregon as a wild card in all of this. It is said they have some of the best facilities in the country which would appeal to any 18 year old. Also, the Ducks from Eugene seem to fit Pryor's style the best. In the end, however, the distance will ultimatly be their demise.

 So, we are left with one recruit, four teams and a little over a month to decide. Most want to believe it's down to two. And many fans in Michigan as well as the Buckeye state wouldn't have it any other way. Unfortunately for those fans that is not the case, because it doesn't matter what anythone thinks besides Pryor. His delay speaks a great deal for his maturity and decision making. Many believe that this delay was just for more attention and if you truly believe that, then you obviously haven't been recruited in anything. Pryor's parents have clearly been influences in his decision making. The reports I have read tell me that Penn State has been getting real close to Pryor's father. They also have said his mind was made up but his father intervened with some of his own insight and Terrelle took his advice.

In the end, If Pryor wants to play right away in a system that is structured to his running strengths and hides his throwing weaknesses, Ann Arbor should be his final destination. One of my friends said if Pryor wants to learn and establish himself as a more complete NFL QB, Columbus is the place. But I struggle to remember any Ohio State QB that has been a success in the NFL. I mean, Kirk Herbstreit has a nice television career and Joe Germaine is in the Arena League. That being said, OSU isn't really known for being Quarterback U, even though it's a great school and attractive place to attend college and play football. But, with all of media shmuck and opinionated fans out of the way, this decision should become easy towards the end: If I was a Five Star All-American with no particular allegiance to any team, I would take my father's advice, and be the Home State hero everyone in Pennsylvania wants me to be. Which leads to my prediction of what is going to happen. Ohio State and Michigan are left in the dust, arguing about what could have been, while Joe Pa shows us maybe one last time why he is a legend and that Penn State Univeristy still means something in today's college football world.