Wednesday, December 06, 2000
Ohio State lands top prep RB
The Associated Press
One of the top high school running backs on the West Coast has turned down a scholarship offer from top-ranked Oklahoma in favor of attending Ohio State next fall.
JaJa Riley, a 6-foot-2, 190-pounder from Mission Bay High in San Diego, has committed to sign a national letter of intent with the Buckeyes.
“Oklahoma is a nice program, but I think Ohio State's (offense) better suits my style,” Riley said.
Riley leads his team with 1,400 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns.
Riley has grown up near the hometown of Michael Wiley, who started for two seasons as tailback for Ohio State before moving on to the Dallas Cowboys.
Like Wiley, Riley also was pursued by most of the West Coast schools, including Southern Cal and UCLA.
“Knowing Michael Wiley was from here helped me with my decision a little bit, because it kind of gave me a little motivation to think that if he can come from California and make it there at Ohio State, then I can make it, too,” Riley said.
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Ohio State lands top prep RB