The Oregon Ducks lost a major asset when 2013 DeSoto (Texas) running back Dontre Wilson committed to Ohio State on Monday, and now he has made it official, signing with the Buckeyes on National Signing Day.
Dontre Wilson signs with Ohio State over Oregon and Texas
Despite long ties to Oregon, Wilson has stuck with his announced commitment. Follow @SBNationCFB Follow @SBNRecruiting
A consensus four-star prospect, Wilson officially visited Ohio State and Texas over the last two weekends after Chip Kelly left Oregon for the NFL. He considered himself “50/50” between the Ducks and Bucks, with both Oregon and Ohio State feeling good about their chances. However, the promotion of former offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich to head coach kept Wilson in the fold for a while.
Wilson is ranked as one of the top-10 all-purpose backs in the country and a top-10 player in the state of Texas. The 5’10, 170-pounder held offers from Arkansas, Baylor, Clemson, Missouri, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oregon State, Texas A&M, USC, and West Virginia, in addition to his three finalists.
Wilson was sold on being an every-down back for the Ducks and likely hopes to do the same at Ohio State. He does have experience as the lead back for DeSoto -- to say that he’s simply an all-purpose back or a fantastic athlete at running back sells short his vision, willingness to fight for tough yardage and ability to get upfield with little wasted movement. There are some pure running back skills there for Wilson.
A track star with 10.55 100m speed, Wilson translates that ability to the football field, where he was absolutely dynamic as a punt returner, kick returner, and at times as a slot receiver for DeSoto. Get him the ball in space and he can disrupt angles even for fast defenders.
As a senior, he recorded 1,895 yards on the ground on 294 carries, with 37 touchdowns. Through the air, he caught 37 balls for another 750 yards and nine touchdowns.
Twitter: @treydayy_
Recruitment timeline: Wilson committed to Oregon in May of 2012 at his school’s spring game following a trip to Oregon that allowed him to meet LaMichael James. As mentioned above, when Kelly left for the NFL, Wilson opened up his recruitment a little bit by visiting Ohio State and Texas, though he did not decommit from Oregon until this week.
Highlight video:
3rd Coast Recruiting - #2 Dontre Wilson - 2011 Junior Highlights (via 3rdCoastRecruiting)
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