Orhian Johnson chooses Ohio State

How's this for cruel to Bulls fans: Times writer Bob Putnam, at the signing day news conference at Boca Ciega High, reports that quarterback Orhian Johnson announced his college decision by picking up a Bulls hat, then putting it down, as if to tease, and putting on an Ohio State cap.

Johnson had three caps in front of him -- USF, Ohio State and Indiana -- and he said "I'm going to stay close to home," putting his hand on the USF cap ... then picked up the Buckeyes one, saying "but y'all are going to have to drive up the East coast to see me."

Johnson told Putnam it was a legitimately close call and a decision he didn't make until 7 a.m. Wednesday. He had two letters of intent ready to sign, and it wasn't just the caps -- he had two special T-shirts made, with his nickname, O.J., one for a USF signing, one for Ohio State.

He's signing with the Buckeyes, becoming the second Johnson from Pinellas to spurn USF -- Largo's Leonard Johnson opted for Iowa State this morning. So of the big names in play today, USF is 1-for-5, getting corner George Baker from Hialeah but missing on the rest. Expect an update soon from Tallahassee, where Brian Landman tells me that B.J. Daniels was holding a blue ballcap as he walked in with his teammates. That could be Memphis blue, but could also be a Lincoln cap ... stay tuned.

Comments

[Reality]

Have a nice, freezing view from the bench at Ohio State. Also, watch your team pretend to earn another shot at the championship game.

[Cruel]

I hope he breaks his leg for pulling a stunt like that...

[Mike]

That is pretty good. He will get no higher than 3rd on the depth chart behind Pryor and Boeckman.

[RR]

We got B.J. Daniels.

Johnson would have been Daniels' backup.

[J]

I don't understand his decision. Why would you want to sit on a freezing cold bench and watch a football game in Columbus when you could sit on a nice warm bench and watch a football game in Tampa. Either way, he's not playing.

His little stunt with the caps does make me laugh though. I'm not really laughing with him, but more at him. I guess he thought that he was so sought after that it would create a stir by switching caps. Both schools have their eyes set on QBs that are better. We got ours with Daniels. OSU wants Pryor and if they get him Johnson can enjoy the practice squad.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

I think he was pondering playing in front of 45K in Tampa or 95K in Columbus.

I think he was pondering the BCS national title game or the Tire Bowl.

I think he was pondering 4 of the last 5 Big Ten Titles, or lossing to Uconn every year.

Solid choice kid.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

Have we ever signed one of the top 50 recruits in the country?

how come I have never heard of any of the guys we sign in both basketball and football.

Did we make an offer to Matt Smith at Freedom high - he is 5-11 and runs a 4.9 forty

[Dave W]

Wow, that was pretty negative Ari. Obviously Ohio State is one of the premier programs in the nation, but do have a lot to offer athletes of Johnson's caliber. We have playing time a little bit earlier (especially at safety), great workout facilities, and the chance to build something.

Many of our top recruits want to do something new, not be the latest in line.

[J]

Ari, I agree that being the QB at OSU will get you much more attention than at USF, no doubt about that. But lets be real, this kid is not going to be the QB at OSU, he's going to be the practice squad QB.

And in response to your question "how come I have never heard of any of the guys we sign..." I can't really answer that for you. My first guess would be because you don't really follow prep sports.

B.J. Daniels was a big sign, Michigan wanted him incase the Pryor thing didn't work out. Last year we brought in both Ford and Taylor (both of which had already signed with Alabama). Mike Jenkins was highly recruited by LSU.

We're not getting 20 4 star and above guys a year, but we're still signing some pretty big athletes. We are also one of the better programs in the country at identifying underrated players and developing them.

[Truth]

He forgot to consider how cold it is up there. A bright future wasted.

[jim]

he won't play quarterback at OSU they told him they want him as an athlete.

[steve]

great choice to go to THE ohio state university. There is nothing like ohio state football gameday.where the usf football season might last aug to december, ohio state football is YEAR round, people live and breath Ohio state 365 days a year, when you go to ohio state, you create a name for yourself. im sure he wanted to go to a school where people have heard of it and not be asked, where is south fla? would you rather play in front of 20K fans or 100,000 every saturday? what type of history would you rather play for? One that has been around since 1890 or one that has been around for barely 10 years? 7 national titles to none, over 30 conf. champ to none, 7 heisman winners, to none, top 5 winningest program of all time. This kid chose the tradition of ohio state, the history of ohio state, the people of ohio state and the excellence of ohio state. even if this kid doesnt get to play, he is getting an experience second to none, the program that other schools envy because of their success year in and year out. Enjoy it kid! Remember theres two kinds of people, ones who ARE buckeyes and ones who wish they were buckeyes! GO get em

I dont know about Orhian, but I hope the only time I ever see Ohio is when I am flying over it. What a dump!

I think people are a little too ill will from time to time. Yes, he probably won't play QB for OSU(although he looked to have a strong enough arm for the job from the videos) but why is he so ill-equipped to play safety for them in a couple of years. I understand the feeling of being spurned for someone else, but it's a little highschoolish to badmouth someone whom you would have welcomed with open arms to USF. We had a great class and though adding Johnson would have enhanced that, it isn't a name calling offense that he didn't choose us...unless we play OSU in a future bowl game and then all bets are off for the week of the game.

[Shoney]

Ohio State is big time football. Reality, not fantasy. OJ can make an impact on an elite program through hard work and the country's best coaching. Get decision OJ, and, bring your South Florida friends with you to CBus. GO BUCKS!

[T]

You can't blame him. USF is on the rise, but OSU is consistent powerhouse in the Big Ten that's consistently in the mix for a championship. Great choice!!!

Good Luck O

[Dan]

Word is Johnson will be a free safety at OSU. His height, athleticism and 40" vertical should help out there. He'll have a chance to compete at the highest level and have visibility for pro scouts. Plus, he'll be on a Top 5 ranked team for his entire career there. Sounds like a smart young man.

[Hetuck]

Wishing a kid a broken leg because he chose a chance ay playing for a premiere football program instead of USF? Very classy.

[byron murrill]

He's not going to play quarterback, he;s going to play safety you losers

[byron murrill]

you guys suck anyway. Always the little ones trying to nip at the heels of the big boys.

[JABFL]

Too much in the way of sour grapes in Florida.
Too much discontent over the Buckeyes.
The SEC has won handidly we Buckeyes will give you that, but there is next year and as your luck would have it it will likely be Johnson who wins with Buckeyes as the National Champs. Umlike the SEC OSU has 7 already.

[Ari Hinkelberger]

Anybody ever been to Cleveland?

What a dump.

Anybody ever been to Akron?

What a dump

Ohio = Fly over country.

At least the Governor of Ohio didn't pay off the athletic department too.

[JJG]

Great choice OJ welcome to buckeye nation.

Looking forard to watching you play in numerous BCS and NCG at TOSU

Go Buckeyes

don't mind these other fans they are just jealous and misguided

[Mart]

JJG, Im pretty sure he isn't listening to these fans or you. Great pep talk.

[Eric]

Wow! Pretty sad that this kind of ill will is wished on a kid that simply makes a decision he feels is in his best interest. I did a little research before posting & it seems this kid wanted to be recruited for a defensive back position. He only played QB the one season & said that he was only there because the coach wanted to get the ball in the hands of the best athlete on the field as often as possible. So he'll likely be playing defense, not offense at the next level. I think we all win some & lose some. UF loses some recruits they would like, so does USF, Ohio State, Texas, FSU, ect.

"I hope he breaks his leg"...are you kidding me? Grow up, be an adult - heck - grow a set and let us know who you work for so your competitors can wish you would break your leg. That is truely one of the most childish comments I've read on a message / reply board. I can only hope that you either regret having made that comment about a teenager that was only trying to make a decision about his future or you are in-fact only 12 years old.

[B^S]

Some moron read the article and posted that just to be a d**k. I really hope noone would feel that way.
Any outside people, don't take that random statement and blow it up to be the view of the USF fan base. I hope that all the kids from this recruiting class, those considering USF or not to go out and be successful on and off the field.
And we already know that Orhian will succeed because he is taking his finely honed "Florida" speed and athleticism to the slow old Big Ten.
Show em how Florida does football OJ! Good luck!

[dorothy wilson]

wat up dog u the best

[Mike Lakeland]

Holy blog post bump, Batman!

[Dave W]

Is it just me, or are there a lot of random, old posts being dug up lately? Is the work of a bot of some kind, or just a coincidence that this along with the Leslie Stirrups entry would crop up in the same week?

[G.A.]

I think it's just people searching for names and having posts here show up. In both cases, there are some particularly negative comments on the post that might set off friends or family members reading it, even a year or two after the fact.

I do not believe any bots are involved.