An early decision, but a fitting one: Buckeyes land future backfield stud
CORNELIUS, N.C. (BVM) — The notorious coronavirus changed the landscape of the entire sports world. This included campus visits for many of the top high school athletes in the nation. And that is why William Amos Hough High School star running back Evan Pryor, with more than 40 major Division I offers including one from the Alabama Crimson Tide, decided to commit to the Ohio State Buckeyes.聽
Without an official visit, without experiencing the OSU atmosphere, Pryor chose the future of his next four years. He didn鈥檛 want the decision looming over his upcoming senior season. Although a choice that was made without being able to appreciate a look at the OSU campus, it seems to be fitting for the four-star tailback.聽
The Buckeyes have been churning out elite talent in the backfield for years now, starting with NFL veteran Carlos Hyde, then Pro Bowl tailback Ezekiel Elliot, and 2020 second-round pick, J.K. Dobbins. For kids with NFL aspirations, Ohio State and head coach Ryan Day offer all of the opportunities and tools to get yourself that recognition.聽
Pryor seems in line to be the next man up when looking at his junior year stats. Named an all-Charlotte Observer pick as well as an all I-MECK 4A conference selection, the Hough High Husky rushed for 1,130 yards, while also getting it done through the air. He caught 38 passes for 646 yards. As a return man, he totaled 259 yards.聽
With his future now cemented, the All-American Bowl running back was able to get in an official visit on June 12 as restrictions started to ease. And by taking a look at the future Buckeye鈥檚 personal Twitter account, you can tell that visit only solidified his decision. Pryor is seen encouraging five-star offensive lineman Tristan Leigh to sign with Ohio State, and retweeting fellow OSU commit CJ Hicks鈥� tweet about his eagerness to put on the scarlet and grey.聽
Pryor will be heading to Columbus after graduating in 2021, where he鈥檒l be a member of the No. 1 recruiting class in the country. He will have backfield competition with five-star running back TreVeyon Henderson also headed to the Buckeyes, but the best players bring out the best in one another. Pryor figures to be a starter for multiple seasons at OSU and could slate in as an early-to-mid round draft pick when his time comes for the NFL.
But until then, Pryor has unfinished business; winning a North Carolina state championship, something he hasn鈥檛 done yet. Alongside his two Division I quarterback recruits Darius Ocean and Tad Hudson, the Huskies seem like they鈥檒l be able to make a run at it this fall.聽
