Michael Chung (10:14 am)

After a big recruiting weekend, the Buckeyes secured two commitments, one being St. Louis Missouri running back Ezekiel Elliott. Elliott is a speedy back who can also catch the ball out of the backfield; the exact type of back Urban Meyer wants to have.  When Deveon Smith committed to UM, I really thought Urban was looking for a speed back with good hands to catch the ball. Elliott filled that role perfectly. He took some time to answer a few questions.

Many ND fans felt you were an Irish lock, what convinced you that Ohio State was the place for you?

EE: On my 2nd visit to OSU I was really impressed. ND is a great school but after I researched the academics, met with the medical school, got to know a lot of people, I felt OSU was a good fit. Meeting with professors in medical college was important but also I have strong relationships with Noah Spence, Armani Reeves, and Cam Williams and I spent a lot of time with them as well as David Perkins. People sold me.  Every school has good facilities, education, the difference is the people because these are people you spend the next four years with. OSU was a better fit for me.

Have you talked to Brian Kelly?  What did he say to you after you told him?

EE: I did not talk to Brian Kelly, I talked to coach Tony Alford and Bob Elliot. They were disappointed. When I thought through this process I decided once I committed to a school I am committed 100% and will not waver. I will keep my word, my OSU decision is final.

What did Urban tell you your role would be?

EE: He wanted me as a Percy Harvin type player. A player who can run and catch.

I watched Percy play at Florida and the Vikings and I am honored for the comparison with him.  I could play WR but I am recruited as a RB.  Our High School offense runs a little spread, pistol, and pro-style but we mainly operate from the spread more than anything. So when I get to OSU, operating in the Spread offense will not be foreign.

They list your 40 time as 4.4, is that accurate? What is the fastest you have run the 40?  

EE: Actually, my official time is closer to 4.47 but I hope to get faster.

Alex Anzalone was with you on a few visits, do you think he will commit to OSU?  

EE: I am good friends with him, he is going to the west coast for visits and he may be back for the spring game. Hopefully, he will commit, I am working on recruiting him to be a Buckeye.  I am good friends with him and have been with him on college visits the last few weekends; he was with me on my visit to ND and I will work to get him. I think there is a good chance he commits, he liked OSU a lot.

Were there any schools that tried to bad mouth Urban Meyer and OSU?

EE: There were but I am not going to go into detail, they were saying he may not keep his word but I really do not want to discuss it. I believe in Urban Meyer, I believe he is a great man and I would not be here if I did not believe in him. I would not be surprised if we are in the National Championship contention in the next couple years.

I am proud to be a Buckeye.

Thank you so much Ezekiel for your time and we look forward to following your career at OSU as well as to see who else joins you in the 2013 class.