Jerome Baker Announcement Primer

One week removed from one of the best recruiting days in Ohio State history, the attention now turns to Friday, July 11th.  Jerome Baker, one of the nations best linebackers, is set to commit that day.  Many people feel like Ohio State is the heavy, heavy favorite.  I tend to disagree with that.  I think this is a lost closer than most people think and I am going to give you the school(s) that is going to give Ohio State trouble for Baker.

Is Jerome Baker going to be the Next 2015 commit for Ohio State?

The Contenders:

Ohio State- What many people consider the heavy favorite, Ohio State has long been the favorite for Baker because it just makes sense.  They are the home state school and Baker plays football for Benedictine in Cleveland, Ohio.  Baker grew up a Penn State fan as a matter of fact and many thought that they would be giving Ohio State the most trouble in the end.  After a SEC swing where he visited Tennessee and Florida, it became more and more of an Ohio State vs. SEC battle.  Urban Meyer has had great success the past couple of recruiting classes with the top players in Ohio, getting the players he wants most in Ohio.  I think this one is going to come down to Ohio State and my next team on the list.

Florida- Will Muschamp has had his ups and downs at Florida, but there is no doubt that he can recruit.  Anybody can recruit at the University of Florida, but Muschamp deserves credit.  But with Baker’s recruitment, I think a lot of the credit has to go to LB coach DJ Durkin.  Baker has built a very strong relationship with Durkin, and I think is the main reason as to why he might choose Florida.    Baker has made it no secret how much he loves Florida.  There is some serious smoke out there about Baker and Florida and it is not just his camp trying to build some excitement for the announcement.  I think he really likes Florida and Florida is going to give Ohio State A LOT of trouble.

Tennessee- Whatever kool-aid Butch Jones is selling on the recruiting trail, I sure want some.  He has been on fire since he has taken over at UT.  Baker has taken a visit to Tennessee and came away very impressed.  I think that Tennessee is the dark horse in this race.  I think a lot of people are writing Tennessee and a lot of other schools for that matter, off because many feel he is an Ohio State “lock”.  If Jerome were to leave the state, I think an up and coming Tennessee program would be a good fit for him.  He could become the leader of that defense.  I like Tennessee to round out the top three for Baker but I think this is going to be a Ohio State and Florida battle.

Prediction: Ohio State.  Urban Meyer has worked too hard and too long for the top in-state prospect to go somewhere else.  The Mariano Rivera (I’m a Yankees fan so I love this analogy) of recruiting, I think Meyer closes this one out.  I think Baker loves Ohio State and is not going to give up the opportunity to play in front of family and friends at the Horseshoe.  I think Baker chooses Ohio State at his announcement. 

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