Ohio State Is Still In The Running For Alex Anzalone

The Buckeyes are still in the running

Friday afternoon was unpleasant for Buckeye fans as Alex Anzalone had announced his decommitment from Ohio State. Along with the announcement, Anzalone's father Sal Anzalone, had made some discouraging comments about OSU:

"You don't want your son to go to a place where there's a potential issue (like this)," Sal Anzalone said. "You expect the (football) staff to have some sort of control on how things are handled with recruits when they visit. This is ridiculous.

"I was concerned with what recruits do, and with them being allowed to visit these kind of places where it puts kids at risk. That's the issue. You entrust people (at the school) to do the right thing."

Media all across the nation picked up on Sal's comments criticizing Ohio State for allowing his son to come in contact with, and be photographed with, a known sex offender who is Buckeyes football fan. 

Now, though, Sal wants to clarify that he doesn't hold Buckeyes football coach Urban Meyer, his staff or the university responsible for what happened during Alex's recruiting visit to Columbus, Ohio, April 21.

"I want people to understand, I have no beef with Ohio State, at all," Sal Anzalone said. "My issue is not with Ohio State: It's a great institution, they have a phenomenal president, Urban Meyer is nothing but a class act to me.

"There's nothing wrong with Ohio State; it's a great institution. When I said there was something wrong with Ohio State, I was talking about the visit - there was something wrong with the visit, not with Ohio State."

2013 4-Star Outside Linebacker Alex Anzalone Decommits From Ohio State

Why the sudden change?

Linebacker Alex Anzalone made his third visit to Ohio State less than two months ago, when he attended the Buckeyes’ spring game on April 21. At that time he gave the Ohio State staff the good news that he was commitment No. 11 for Urban Meyer’s 2013 recruiting class.

The commitment did not last long.

“I de-committed from Ohio State,” Anzalone told Irish Sports Daily this afternoon. “Right now I'm digesting everything"

This is pretty dire news for Buckeye fans because when asked if he is still considering Ohio State, Anzalone said, “Not really.”

The 6'3" and 220-pound Anzalone had committed to the Buckeyes over approximately 30 other scholarship offers. Anzalone also said that he is considering five schools right now. Those schools are Penn State, Notre Dame, USC, Stanford and Florida.

As to why he is no longer an Ohio State commitment, Anzalone did not want to expound. Anzalone is the No. 4 prospect in Pennsylvania, the country’s No. 97 overall prospect and the No. 6 outside linebacker.

Anzalone's decision is very shocking to say the least. This decommit has come out of nowhere. I have to agree with Eleven Warriors on the subject of the recent "Eric Charles Waugh" case. Like they said, there's no evidence to prove that it was the reason for the changing of Anzalone's mind, but can't have helped the situation any. 

Now, with the recent Lewis Neal news that he is looking at LSU, it means the Buckeyes will need to get back to work recruiting linebackers for their 2013 class. They have gone from commitments from two outstanding linebackers to no solid commitments at the position at this point.

The only good thing that could possibly come out of losing two linebackers back to back would be to land one of the top linebackers in the country: Jaylon Smith

2013 4-Star OLB Alex Anzalone Commits To Ohio State

The 11th commitment for the Buckeyes

2013 4-star linebacker Alex Anzalone made his third visit to Ohio State is less than two months and as the old saying goes, “The third time is a charm," as Anzalone has confirmed his commitment to the Buckeyes.

Anzalone was back in Columbus today for the Buckeyes’ spring game and gave Meyer the good news. He becomes the 11th commitment in the class of 2013 for Urban Meyer and the Ohio State Buckeyes.

The 6'3" and 220-pound Anzalone could play inside or on the perimeter for the Bucks. Fickell and the coaching staff will have to decide where they want him.

Anzalone has over 30 scholarship offers including Ohio State, Penn State, Notre Dame, Alabama, Florida, Oklahoma, Michigan, Stanford and UCLA before picking the Buckeyes.

Anzalone is the No. 4 prospect in Pennsylvania, the country’s No. 96 overall prospect and the No. 5 outside linebacker.

Anzalone’s commitment is not surprising, as we told you on Monday that he was attending the Buckeyes spring game, but that doesn’t lessen its importance. He is another huge grab for the Buckeyes. 

Keep it at Inside The Shoe for the latest news, updates and opinions on Ohio State athletics.

Top OLB Alex Anzalone To Attend Ohio State's Spring Game

Anzalone has met Meyer before

4-star linebacker Alex Anzalone attended an Ohio State junior day in February and came out of Urban Meyer’s office with a scholarship offer from the Buckeyes. Anzalone made that visit with his mother and father.

Anzalone was back in Columbus near the end of March for another Ohio State visit, this time with just his mom as his father had to work.

Three of the top schools Anzalone is considering are Ohio State, Penn State and Notre Dame, and all three will hold their spring game on April 21.

After visiting Penn State yesterday, Anzalone has told the media he will definitely be in Columbus next weekend. Anzalone has over 30 scholarship offers. His list includes Ohio State, Penn State, Notre Dame, USC, Stanford, UCLA, Florida, Alabama, Oklahoma, Michigan, Florida State and Arkansas. Anzalone will probably start to narrow his list down in the near future.

The 6'3", 220-pound Anzalone could play inside or on the perimeter at the next level. Fickell has told him he could play any of the three linebacker positions at Ohio State.

He is the No. 4 prospect in Pennsylvania, the country’s No. 97 overall prospect and the No. 6 outside linebacker.

This could be a huge factor on where Anzalone ends up playing college football, as he wasn't expected to attend the OSU spring game. Now that he is, Urban is sure to be ready to pull out all of the stops for Alex. 

Keep it at Inside The Shoe for the latest updates, news and opinions on Ohio State athletics.