The future stars of Ohio State football officially begin their Buckeye careers today as standouts from all over the country put pens to their National Letters of Intent. Signing Day is here.
Eleven Warriors would like to officially welcome Robert Landers to the Ohio State football program.
The Landers File
- Class 2015
- Position DT
- Size 6-2/295
- School Wayne (Dayton, OH)
- Composite ★★★
- Rank 29 (DT)
As a 6-foot-2, 295-pound defensive tackle at one of Ohio's best prep programs, the lack of attention Wayne's Robert Landers didn't make a lot of sense. Unfortunately for most prospects these days, the chance to really get "noticed" is contingent on the ability to travel and participate in a number of off-season scouting combines and camps. Forgoing those camps often means losing an opportunity for scouting services and college coaches.
For Landers, his attention began during his senior season as he was dominating opponents week-in and week-out. West Virginia spotted the defensive tackle during the season and immediately set up a visit and offered. Landers committed during his trip to Morgantown. His previous offers, from Toledo, Bowling Green, and Ball State, the Mountaineers provided him a chance at big-time football in Big 12.
“Landers has flown under the radar with his recruitment, but the West Virginia staff saw enough in person to pull the trigger on the senior,” Keenan Cummings WVSports.com of Rivals.com told WVMetroNews.com. “Given his size, Landers has the ability to play several positions up front and will likely begin his career on the interior of the defensive line.”
Fast-forward two months from his October commitment, and what Landers had been working for, a chance to hear from the home-state Buckeyes, finally occurred. Ohio State was still searching for defensive tackle help and Landers just finished an incredible run through the Ohio state playoffs. A surprise offer came through on December 12th, a weekend visit was scheduled and on December 16th, Landers flipped from West Virginia to Ohio State.
Fellow Buckeye commitments, including Alex Stump whose Lakewood St. Edward's teammates saw up-close-and-personal in the state title game, reacted to his verbal pledge.
"I saw him play against us in the State Championship game," Alex Stump told 11W. "He dominated the game. He was one of the best defensive linemen we played all year."
