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Ohio State recruiting: Jerome Baker recaps his OSU visit

2015 athlete Jerome Baker recaps his unofficial visit to Ohio State.

Student Sports

There were multiple recruits on Ohio State's campus Thursday through Sunday who were checking out today's spring practice. There's no question that one of the top targets on campus was Cleveland (OH) Benedictine athlete Jerome Baker, who is one of, if not the best player in Ohio's 2015 class.

The versatile athlete who could end up playing running back or linebacker at the college level has been on campus many times and enjoyed all of his trips. This visit was no different.

"I got there Thursday. First I toured around a little bit, saw the trophy room, and talk to Coach Meyer in his office. Then we walked (Baker and his teammate Justin Layne) into the practice. Coach Meyer talked to me throughout the practice. It was really exciting," Baker told Land-Grant Holy Land. "Then it go to the point where my dad called and said he was coming down tomorrow, so I suggested staying the night and then meeting up with him when he came down tomorrow."

"The next day I took a tour with Coach Drayton. My dad came; me and my family spent some time talking to Coach Meyer. Then we went to the East Tech vs St. Ed's basketball game and went back home."

In addition to that, he was able to spend a fair amount of time with head coach Urban Meyer and running back and also running backs coach Stan Drayton, who his is primary recruiter.

"It was great talking to him (Drayton). He's very open and honest. He really cares and that makes you want to talk to him even more," Baker said. "Coach Meyer is the same way. He's a family person and everyone that knows me knows that I love my family. My little cousins came and jumped into my arms and he was just as excited as I why. They were just hanging out him him, he was hanging out with them, and throwing around the little football. It was just a great experience."

Ohio State was Baker's leader going into the visit and that is still the case, though he's nowhere close to announcing his college decision.

"Yes, definitely," he said when asked if Ohio State was still his leader. "After Ohio State most of the schools are pretty even and Penn State is definitely in that group."

When it comes time to make a college decision, there are three main factors he'll be taking into account.

"Academics is probably first," he told Land-Grant Holy Land. "After that my family left it clear the decision is up to me. I look for three things: Academics, the tradition, and atmosphere at the college. If a school has all of that it's a good fit."

I really like the position the Buckeyes are in right now, but the race for his commitment is nowhere close to being over as he plans to make a late decision. Penn State is the only legitimate threat to the Scarlet and Gray right now, but other teams could emerge as contenders in the coming months.

If you haven't seen Ohio's top player in action, check out his highlights below: