By Bill Kurelic, NN Recruiting Analyst

bkurelic@nittanynetwork.com

July 19, 2009

ESPNU 150 Watch List defensive end Darryl Baldwin from Solon, Ohio, announced his college choice moments ago. As expected, Baldwin has committed to Ohio State.

Baldwin had dozens of scholarship offers before narrowing his choices down to Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan State and Notre Dame, and then ultimately selecting the Nittany Lions’ Big Ten rival Buckeyes.

The 6-foot-6 and 265-pound Baldwin visited Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan State, Notre Dame and Michigan this summer.  He was impressed with his visit to Penn State, but it was not enough.  Baldwin had Ohio State at the top of his list from the beginning of the recruiting process.

With Baldwin’s commitment, Joe Paterno and his staff can turn their attention to Dakota Royer, Dominique Easley, C.J. Olaniyan and J.R. Ferguson, other defensive ends the Nittany Lions have offered.

Kurelic’s Comment:  The Nittany Lions were a long shot to land Baldwin, but the favorite to land Royer.  They also have a realistic shot at Easley, and can’t be ruled out with Olaniyan and Ferguson.