Brown talks Ohio State offer

Forget the Arizona rankings. Jalen Brown might be among the top juniors in the west. So when Ohio State decided to send a representative to Phoenix with formal scholarship offer for his senior teammate, Kenny Lacy, it figured it might as well get things rolling with Brown. After all, when it comes to joining the recruitment of one of the nation's most sought-after prospects, there's no time like the present.

By the time Buckeye offensive coordinator Tom Herman left Phoenix's Mountain Pointe high school on Monday afternoon, three members of the Pride's state runner-up roster had Ohio State offers. Offensive lineman Natrell Curtis, another 2014 prospect, rounded out the group.

"They didn't want to speak too much because I'm a 2014, so they spent most of the time talking to Kenny," Brown said. "They just offered and that was about it."

Still, Brown, a four-star prospect, is the prize to be won. Brown is the crown jewel. In a 2014 class that most think is the best the state of Arizona has ever produced, he seems to be the top dog. The 17 offers he carries are certainly warranted.

As for the latest of those offers, his opinion is still forming. His Ohio State knowledge is, at least for now, that of an optimistic layman.

"I know they played really well and those sanctioned put them out," Brown said. "I know they're probably going to be one of the best teams in the country next year.

"Its one of the biggest college towns out there, and Ohio state has a lot of tradition. It's a really good program."

Brown plays both sides of the ball at Mountain Pointe but is being recruiting primarily as a wide receiver. It's where the Buckeyes want him and where most other schools envision him as well.

He says he hopes to make a handful of unofficial visits during the offseason, but doesn't have destinations in mind just yet. Brown is just as reserved when asked about his early favorites. That's been a theme all along.

The Mountain Pointe star isn't saying anything that could alienate any interested program at such an early juncture.

"I'm not leaning toward anybody right now" Brown said. "I don't even know what school I want to visit this spring yet."