RIVALS.Com Coverage Of Terrelle Pryor’s Decision To Sign With The Scarlet & Gray…

How will Pryor Fit Into This Year’s Plans

More Insight On OSU’s Situation:  The Start Of A Legacy

Getting Offensive - Bringing Back The Option:  As time progressed, Terrelle Pryor knew he was headed to the Big Ten. However, he had yet to decide between Ohio State and Michigan. After much research and discussion, Pryor announced on Wednesday he’s going to be a Buckeye.

“It was just the right fit,” Pryor told Rivals.com late Tuesday night. “The coaches, the comfort level, the players and the signing class they had. I am very comfortable with all of it, and I became friendly with the other recruits throughout the process.

“But in the end it came down to what was right for me. And after a lot of thinking, talking and consideration, it came down to Ohio State.”

Pryor was concerned about early playing time at Ohio State because the Buckeyes boast all-conference quarterback Todd Boeckman, but the overall fit in Columbus just felt better. “I can’t see myself sitting and not playing, that’s the tough part,” Pryor said. “I certainly don’t want to redshirt. But being brought along a little slowly might be the best thing for me in the long run, and I have to look at that. I’m not sure if being thrown to the wolves and starting from Day One would be best for me. I know college is a big step up and there’s a lot to learn.”

There has been talk of Pryor being utilized like Tim Tebow was during his freshman year at Florida.

“If that happens, then that’s what happens,” he said. “I’m going in to compete as hard as I can and we’ll see where I fit in. I trust the coaches to use me the best way they can.”

Michigan’s zone-read offense under Rich Rodriguez was very tempting to Pryor, especially since Rodriguez has had so much success with it at West Virginia. Without Pryor, it doesn’t appear the Wolverines have the type of quarterback necessary to run Rodriguez’s scheme effectively.

“Michigan is a great school and it was a tough decision,” Pryor said. “I like the coaches there. I’ve known them since they were at West Virginia. I seriously considered them right up until the end, but Ohio State was where I felt it.”

Any Takers, 40 PPG A Reality: Ohio State hasn’t typically run a zone-read offense, which was a concern for Pryor. However, after further research, he feels he’ll be a better quarterback in the end because of it.

Ohio State hasn’t typically run a zone-read offense, which was a concern for Pryor. However, after further research, he feels he’ll be a better quarterback in the end because of it.

“Troy Smith ran some zone-read stuff early in his career, and then he developed into a pocket passer and did a lot of stuff out of the shotgun,” Pryor said. “He became a better quarterback - not just an athlete - by the time he was done. I feel I can do the same. Both schools said they would utilize my athletic ability in the offense, but I think I can be more well-rounded at Ohio State.”

What’s Next: Pryor is happy to be done with the decision.

“This has been very tough,” he said. “I didn’t really like the attention, and it got worse after I didn’t decide. But I had to do what was right for me and my family. I’m excited about the decision.”

“Ohio State has said all along that it will revamp the offense for Pryor’s talents once he gets on the field,” Noon said. “That will hold true with specific packages and personnel sets that they will run with him in there while he is sharing time early in his career. Pryor will never be a drop-back passer in the mold of Todd Boeckman, and the Buckeyes are not going to try and turn him into something that he is not.

The top recruit, 6-foot 6, 230-pound QB Terrelle Pryor is now a Buckeye. Pryor has made the decision to join up with Ohio State, teaming up with Chris Wells in what will be an explosive, dynamite backfield, reminiscent of the days when Tommie Fraizer lined up with Lawrence Phillips and Ahman Green in Nebraska, when they ran the option and ground attack to perfection during the mid 90s, reeling off back-to-back titles from ‘94-95. Watch out Big Ten, as I can already envision Michigan and other foes on OSU’s schedule planning on how to defend Pryor and Wells. USC (Sept. 13) will be hosting the 1-2 punch at the L.A. Coliseum, a game where the winner could be the National Champion. For More Insight And What This Means About Pryor’s Decision Check Out NCAA Gridiron Gab.Com Later In The Day.

Wednesday at Noon the final verdict will be made!

Ohio State Bound: The recruiting process for Jeannette, Pa., quarterback Terrelle Pryor, the nation’s No. 1 player, will end when he announces his college choice at noon ET Wednesday at the Jeannette High School auditorium. Pryor has said publicly it is down to two schools, but won’t say which two. Here’s Rivals.com National Recruiting Analyst Mike Farrell’s take on the situation:

“I spoke to Terrelle late Sunday night after hearing about the Associated Press article where he said he was deciding this week,” said Farrell. “I knew he was going to say something about his football recruiting situation after that game, but wasn’t sure if he was going to narrow things down, give a date of his decision or what. We had discussed some things off the record; he just didn’t want it out there and he had some good reasons. I think he knew last week.”

The timing of the 6-foot-6, 235-pounder’s public comments shouldn’t be overlooked according to Farrell.

“Terrelle was hoping he would be playing for a state title in basketball on Penn State’s campus on Saturday, so there were certain things he didn’t want public last week and still doesn’t really want out there,” Farrell continued. “He has done his research. He has talked to the coaches - as well as players and recruits - from his top two teams. Now it seems like he’s ready to get it over with even though he has until April 1.”

Farrell feels the two schools he’s choosing between are obvious.

“To me, it’s Ohio State and Michigan,” Farrell said. “Had he eliminated Penn State before the basketball title game in State College, things could have gotten a little ugly or at least distracted the basketball team. There could have been some signs, some hecklers, just some general distractions that he didn’t want. I also don’t think he has ever wanted to disrespect Penn State in any way. Some of the things he’s said about Penn State like not liking the area and such, that’s just who he is – he’s honest and tells it like it is. He loves coach Tom Bradley and has great respect for Joe Paterno, he’s always said that. I know he really wanted to win the state title and didn’t want his football issues to get in the way of things for his basketball teammates.”

Pryor scored 23 points and pulled down eight rebounds to lead his team to a 76-72 overtime win over Strawberry Mansion in the Class AA title game Saturday. Shortly thereafter, he told the AP he’s going to sign his letter of intent and end the recruiting process.

Buckeyes or Wolverines: “He didn’t even remember saying that he narrowed it down to two or whatever and didn’t know who he said it to, but he said it was accurate,” said Farrell. “He has a great deal of respect for all the coaches that have recruited him, so he doesn’t want to say one team finished second or third. I expect to see four hats (Oregon, Penn State, Michigan and Ohio State) on the table if he does the hat deal when deciding, but he’s down to two for sure.

“He wouldn’t tell me which two though, and I didn’t press him,” Farrell said. “But look at it this way. He waited until after he finished his game at Penn State to make this announcement, and he was on campus strictly for hoops - which means he never took his planned official visit to Happy Valley. He has never been to Oregon, so that leaves Ohio State and Michigan.”

Pryor will talk to the head coaches at his final two schools this week before deciding.

“He spoke to Joe Paterno Sunday night and I got the impression that coach Paterno was not one of those two head coaches,” Farrell said. “I think he talks to Rich Rodriguez and Jim Tressel this week, talks it over one more time with his family and then decides.”

Farrell said Pryor had hoped to visit Penn State as well as take day trips to Ohio State and Michigan with his mother before deciding.

“He said that’s not happening now,” Farrell continued. “He said it’s his decision and his parents are backing him all the way. Is there a chance he sneaks in a visit to Penn State between now and when he decides? There’s always that chance, but it didn’t sound like it was in the plans reading between the lines.”

If Penn State is truly out, is Pryor’s father, Craig, OK with that? After all, it was Craig who wanted his son to delay signing so Penn State could get an official visit.

Scarlet & Gray or Maize & Blue: “I think he wanted to take his time and make sure he was making the right choice,” Farrell said. “He respected his family’s input, which is why he held off on Signing Day. His dad wanted him to give another look to Penn State. I know Terrelle talked to a few Western Pennsylvania guys currently on Penn State’s team recently about the coaching situation up there and the atmosphere. He did some research on his own, and I think his dad is good with that.”

So if it’s Ohio State and Michigan, who wins?

“To me, I’d be stunned if he picked anyplace but Ohio State,” Farrell stated. “He did say he was still doing research on Michigan and that he didn’t know, as of Sunday night, where he was going. But I think he’s pretty sure. He took that one-day trip to Ohio State for a basketball game recently, and he’s friendly with Ohio State signees like Michael Brewster and J.B. Shugarts. He really likes the area, the coaching staff and everything. There have been stunning decisions before and I’ve been wrong before, but Ohio State is my guess and has been for a long time.”

Did Pryor ever attempt to get to Penn State for that official visit?

“I think he was going to take it the same weekend his father, Craig, had emergency heart surgery a couple of weekends ago,” Farrell said. “There was a small window of opportunity to visit Penn State, but it didn’t happen.”

As for a date for the decision, Pryor indicated to Farrell he was still unsure of the particulars.

“I got a text from him Monday morning telling me I’d know when he does,” Farrell said. “He’s trying to work that out with his coach and principal. It is looking like it will be either Thursday or Friday of this week. He knows he’s going to have to do a news conference, although he’d rather just pick a school and end this.

“A lot of people said he did this for the attention, but I know that’s not true. He barely spoke to any media following Signing Day and some of the criticism really hit him hard. Once he decided to delay his decision, he wanted to wait until basketball was over to choose. It’s over now, and it’s decision time.”

Inside Info: One source who only spoke on condition of anonymity, but is very close to the situation has informed us that Michigan has made up a lot of ground recently and could be the wild card in this situation.

“Several very influential Michigan players past and present and other NFL people have been telling him that Michigan would be the best move for his future,” our source said. “Ohio State looks to be the front-runner, but I wouldn’t close the door on Michigan just yet.”

“I’m pretty sure they know I’m coming,” Pryor stated. “I just want to get this whole thing over with and move on.

And so the Terrelle Pryor saga, arguably the most hyped college football recruiting decision in history, is coming to an end.

Developing Shocking Twist Worth Believing: QB Terrelle Pryor, a blue chipper and the top QB recruit in the nation is still undecided where he will go, so what does the young budding star do? He adds another school to his list, a list that’s still up in the air (depending on who you believe) as he gave Memphis, among all the schools to take a look at, a visit last weekend. Inside sources are in “awe” but I believe he is just entertaining offers until he signs April 1st with his top choice - the “Scarlet and Gray”. Apparently Memphis has been more effective than any other basketball program, and virtually every football program, in persuading Pryor to visit.

Basketball Mindset, OSU Afterthought: There is no secret that Ohio State is #1 on Pryor’s lengthy list of possible destinations, but Memphis is giving him an offer that he may not refuse, one that’s very intriguing - the opportunity to play both sports. Very reliable sources in Memphis report that the possibility to cash in with the “Benjamin’s” with hoops surpasses and downgrades the risks from playing Division I Football in the Big Ten or any other major football conference. Even if he does take his game to the next level as expected, the risk of a serious injury is so great that it doesn’t make sense to even try?

A curious question involves even trying Memphis. Would spending a season at Memphis be an improvement over sitting out next season until he turns 19?

Memphis does have a rising situation that the rest of the football and basketball programs recruiting the Jeannette High School standout, for the most part, have not had. Assuming that Pryor’s father will go along on the visit, the Tigers will have to prove that the trip can be done with little or no discomfort for his father, who is wheelchair bound.

It gets even more interesting, however. Will Terrelle’s parents be able to attend every game that the want to see? Traveling from Pittsburgh to Memphis is not your normal, everyday walk in the park so to say.

Obviously Memphis is a not a traditional football power like some of the other schools that are interested in Pryor, but the Tigers boast one of the top basketball programs in the nation and will likely be placed as a #1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

Tigers 1 Of A Kind: Neither Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State or Oregon have offered Pryor the opportunity to play basketball and football, according to the report.

Pryor, the 6-foot 6, 235-pound dual threat, will also visit Penn State this Saturday after already re-visiting Ohio State University (16 days ago) on his own, as early rumors by experts indicate the Buckeyes presenting themselves as the #1 spot for this “4.4″ (40) speed blazer to land.