Four-star football recruit Dontre Wilson verbally committed to Ohio State Monday for after previously stating that he would play for Oregon.
Wilson’s pledge comes just days before Wednesday’s National Signing Day, the first day that recruits can sign a binding letter of intent with their future schools.
OSU is expected to do very well on this year’s signing day. Rivals.com has the Buckeyes tied with the Florida Gators for the second best-recruiting class in the nation.
The only other Big Ten team ranked in the website’s top 10 is Michigan at No. 6.
Wilson made the switch to OSU after former Oregon coach Chip Kelly elected to take his high-powered offense to the NFL and signed as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Oregon’s loss, however, is likely Buckeye fans’ gain.
Wilson, a hybrid running back and wide receiver, is the No. 5-ranked athlete by ESPN.com and the 55th-ranked player overall in the ESPN 150. Wilson, who hails from DeSoto High School in DeSoto, Texas, is ranked as the 100th best recruit in the nation by Rivals.com.
During his announcement on Dallas’ KDFW-TV, Wilson said the way Kelly handled his exit was “wrong.”
Kelly had visited Wilson’s high school the day before he announced that he would be leaving Oregon.
“It hurt a little,” Wilson told KDFW-TV.
The success of this year’s Buckeyes team also played a role in his decision to commit to OSU.
“I feel like coach (Urban) Meyer has something going good there right now,” Wilson told the station. “They could’ve been in the national championship (game) this year if it wasn’t for the bowl ban.”
When asked if the team had told him anything about his role as a freshman, Wilson replied, “They said I would get a lot of (playing time).”