Terrelle Pryor sticks with prior pick: Ohio State

Terrelle Pryor won't get this much time in the pocket next season. He won't be able to survey the field, scramble, retreat and then call timeout.

That's what he did with his college recruitment. On national signing day he was prepared to pledge his allegiance to Ohio State. That was six weeks ago.

Finally on Wednesday, the nation's top recruit made the right call in choosing the Buckeyes. Decision-making is as critical as arm strength for a quarterback, and the kid passed his first test.

Michigan and Penn State fans won't like hearing that, but Ohio State offered the total package.

Coaching staff that developed a Heisman Trophy-winning QB? Check.

Superior facilities? Check.

Driving distance to Pryor's home outside Pittsburgh? Check.

An incoming recruiting class with three top-100 offensive linemen? Check.

Yet none of those four reasons is the biggest one. If Terrelle Pryor had gone to Michigan, he would have been expected to lead an offense that just lost four key starters.

At OSU, he doesn't have to play god. He can split time with senior Todd Boeckman. He'll play the Tim Tebow role to Boeckman's Chris Leak, an arrangement that worked pretty well at Florida two seasons ago.

Pryor isn't ready to be an every-snap quarterback. Have you seen his clips? As a runner, he's Vince Young. As a passer, he's just young. His throws hang.

"It was just the right fit," Pryor told Rivals.com, which elevated Ohio State's recruiting class to fourth behind Alabama, Notre Dame and Florida.

Yes, it was. Good thing he finally realized it.

[More at www.chicagotribune.com]