Under Armour All-American Jaamal Berry of Miami-Palmetto (Miami, Fla.), has accepted a Class of 2009 scholarship offer from Ohio State.

The top running back in the ESPNU 150 picked the Buckeyes over LSU, Michigan, Mississippi and Florida. Among many other offers were South Carolina, Florida State, Clemson, West Virginia and Auburn.

He told ESPN affiliate Web site Bucknuts.com, "I've had Ohio State at the top of my list since I went to their spring game in April. I just wanted my mom to see it."
"She liked it. So I committed. She's happy if I'm happy, and I'm happy with Ohio State. Today is my mom's birthday, so I thought this was a good time to do it."
Berry continued, "I made my decision for a reason. I feel at home at Ohio State. I like everything about Ohio State. I'm good with my decision."

However, Berry may honor his plans with the Rebels, "I'll still visit Ole Miss because I promised them I would and I want to give them a chance. I don't know if I'll visit LSU."

ESPN's Billy Tucker said of the commitment, "Ironically, just as Ohio State potentially loses the No.1 back in all of college football to injury (Beanie Wells), it gains ESPN's No. 1-rated RB prospect in the country. Berry has had OSU at the top of his list for quite some time, and by pulling the trigger yesterday -- he has put the Buckeyes in strong contention for a top-5 class in 2009. The Under Armour All-American is already the Buckeyes' 25th overall commitment, their second No. 1-rated positional prospect and sixth rated in the top-10."
"Berry is a well-rounded back who will be able to develop into a feature guy for the Buckeyes. He has great perimeter speed and elusiveness, but it's the 185-pounders' deceptive in-line running strength and power which separates him. Berry is a homerun threat when he breaks free in the second level and has the compact body structure needed to be productive between the tackles in the Big Ten as well."
"Berry is the third running back to pledge to Ohio State in '09, joining Jordan Hall (Jeannette, Pa.) and Carlos Hyde (Naples, Fla.). The 230-pound Hyde could be the guy who spells and rotates with Berry during their careers in Columbus; he is a strong gifted runner in his own right."

During his junior season, Berry rushed for 1,033 yards and 14 touchdowns after putting up 522 yards and five scores as a sophomore.

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