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Ohio State Buckeye fans across the nation can rest easy. Now, so can Brandon Saine.
The talented running back gave the Buckeyes a verbal commitment last Wednesday.
Brandon is currently ranked as Ohio's number 4 overall prospect by Ohio High magazine. Saine finished the 2005 season with over 1,300 rushing yards and 21 total touchdowns. He secured All-Ohio, All-Conference and Conference Player of the Year honors.
"I get faster during track season and stronger during football season," he said about playing both sports.
Brandon chose Ohio State even though many other schools showed interest. Some of the schools were Boston College, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Oregon, Pittsburgh and Stanford.
"There is very little in terms of what holds him back," Piqua head football coach Bill Nees said. "There was not a college that didn't want him or recruited him."
The question everyone has asked; Why did Saine choose the Buckeyes?
"Closeness, great academics, the coaches," he said. "Everything about it is perfect for me."
Having the decision made this early in the recruiting process allows Saine to fully focus on track and his upcoming senior football season.
"I knew where I wanted to go and the time felt right," Saine said. "I didn't have any reason to wait any longer."
With Ohio State loaded at the running back position, Saine will be sure to find a spot on the field.
"The coaches told us to keep an eye on some of the things Ted Ginn is doing," Piqua head coach Bill Nees said. "Brandon is more of a running back who can also be used as a wide receiver. Rather than a wide receiver who they put into the backfield. I'm certainly not telling Ohio State how they should be playing him."
Last week Saine recorded a hat trick, if you will. He gave his verbal, broke the 100M track record in Ohio and was named the Prom King. Saine is also the defending 100M and 400M Division I State Champion on the track and will look to add the 200M championship this year.
"I would like to (be a two sport athlete at Ohio State)," Saine said. "But, you never know."
Nees was delighted with Saine's decision to don the scarlet and grey in 2007.
"I was very happy that the Buckeyes were his choice," Nees said in a previous interview. "The resources available to him at Ohio State are second to none. Coach Tressell is genuine. What you see is really who he is."
Despite all of the attention, Saine still remains very humble and focused.
"The most outstanding quality of Brandon is his ability to remain humble in the face of great success," Nees added. "He maintains his weight room work ethic and refuses to let outside sources sway him. He carries a team first attitude and there is not a selfish bone in his body."
The verbal marks the third Indian to migrate to Columbus in recent years.
"Matt (Finkes) and Quinn (Pitcock) have been a great source of pride for our community," Nees said. "There are so many Buckeye fans around here and Brandon will continue the pride."
That's something that Buckeye and Indian fans will gladly allow him to do...which makes this truly a perfect fit.
Jesse & Cyndi Swafford
PiquaFootball.com
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