Buckeyes on Troutmans radar

Three-star defensive end Johnnie Troutman out of Browns Mills (N.J.) Pemberton Township took his second official visit of the season to Columbus last weekend. The 6-foot-4, 289-pounder rated the Buckeyes trip very highly.

"I'd rate the trip a nine or 10," he said. "I had a great time and right now they are probably tied with Penn State as my top school. This trip compared really well to State College because both schools basically had the same things and I had a great time at each. I also believe I got a good view of both colleges."

What did Troutman like about his trip?

"It's a great school, great team, they have wonderful facilities and an excellent school of business," he said. "I also really like coach Tressel. He's a nice guy and I got to sit down one-on-one with him Saturday afternoon. That was a good conversation he basically reiterated stuff he talked to me at home about on Thursday like what he believes in, football in general and how they would utilize me. I feel I fit into their system well.

"Besides hanging out with coaches, I checked out the campus, school and met with the academic counselors. I was also able to check out the field and facilities which were nice. Finally, I got to spend a lot of time with my host Malcolm Jenkins. That was great because we basically just talked about everything and hung out."

The three-star prospect still has two more official visits coming up in the next couple weeks to Maryland and Virginia.

"There's nothing I'm really looking for on the visits," he said. "I just see how I fit in and play on the team and how I enjoy myself."

Troutman plans to make a decision sometime after his trip to Charlottesville on January 20th, but before Signing Day.