The WPIAL to Ohio State pipeline has dried up over the last decade, but it’s not because of a lack of interest. There just haven’t been a ton of local recruits with Ohio State offers in recent seasons.
Since 2010, only four WPIAL stars have committed to Ohio State, and there hasn’t been one since Marcus Hooker in 2018. The Hooker Brothers, Marcus (2018) and Malik (2014), both committed to OSU out of New Castle High School.
Woodland Hills’ Ejuan Price committed to Ohio State in 2011, but he quickly backed out and committed to Pitt — never playing a down at OSU. Canon-MacMillian’s Chad Hagan played sparingly at OSU after committing in 2010.
Quinton Martin could be the best of the bunch, and he’ll certainly be the highest-rated of the bunch as he picked up an offer from Ohio State after a phone call with head coach Ryan Day — and later trip to Columbus.
Martin, who recently earned his fifth star from 247Sports, is one of the most coveted recruits in the class of 2024 already. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound dual-sport athlete — starring in football and basketball at Belle Vernon High School in Pennsylvania — was a force as a sophomore.
He ran for 902 yards and 12 touchdowns (11.3 yards per attempt), caught 10 balls for 162 yards and two touchdowns and recorded 18 tackles and an interception from the defensive secondary. He also starred on the basketball court, leading the Leopards to a 20-5 season with WPIAL and PIAA playoff berths.
247Sports rates Martin as a five-star recruit, holding a 0.9922 composite score, but he hasn’t rated nationally yet. Rivals, which has given him a vaunted 6.0 rating, slots him as the 12th-recruit in the class of 2024, ranking as the top athlete and recruit from Pennsylvania.
Martin attended Ohio State’s spring game Saturday, continuing a busy few months in which he’s visited West Virginia, Pitt, Penn State and Michigan.
With offers from Boston College, Cincinnati, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, Pitt, Rutgers, Syracuse, Texas, Virginia Tech, WVU and Wisconsin, Martin already features offers from elite programs. And he’s only going to receive more.
I really don’t understand why these local players are sooo intrigued by the blue blood schools. Stay home and become a STAR, get multiple chances to succeed, and go to the NFL in 3 years.
OR…
Go away, become another number, and get kicked to the curb if injured or don’t live up to 5 star potential.
Come on, do yourself a solid and become a Supernova at Pitt, go to the NFL, and make millions!!!
H2P!!!
If he wants to compete at the highest level, for Conference Championships, College Playoffs and a chance at a National Championship, be on the National stage every weekend, then the Bluebloods like Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia and so forth is the path for this young man. Competition helps the athlete in practice every day become as good as he can be. Also facilities, resources and great coaching staffs, along with great Alumni after football play into the young man’s future. There are many aspects a young player must consider along with his family. Best of Luck to this young man’s… Read more »
I know what you’re saying but I think if pitt can become relevant again which makes this yrs season so important to piggy back from last yrs success you’ll see the locals having more interests in the program