Love has a leader

While other prospects have been making junior day and college spring practice visits, Youngstown (Ohio) Cardinal Mooney's Courtney Love has mostly been staying close to home the last several weeks.

The 6-1, 222-pound linebacker was on the road this past weekend, however, accompanied by his father and two brothers on a visit to Ohio State.

"I just got home from Columbus and was hanging out a little bit with the coaches and checked out the practice," Love said. "It was their first day of pads, so just seeing their intensity was pretty good."

Love and his family arrived in Columbus on Friday and stayed overnight to attend the Buckeye's Saturday practice. It was his first time back to Ohio State since a late January junior day visit where he picked up his offer from the Buckeyes and his interest in the program was furthered.

"They have a high energy type of program with Coach [Urban] Meyer being there," Love said. "Coach [Luke] Fickell is a great coach and I love the way he coaches. I got a chance to see John Simon, who came from our school, in action. That made me want to be out there. It was just unbelievable to be there and be a part of that."

Love was one of several prospects on campus this weekend in Columbus, and the visit gave him an opportunity to meet other prospects the Buckeyes are recruiting.

"I got a chance to meet Alex Anzalone and Ezekiel Elliott," Love said. "I've heard of them, but that was my first time meeting them down there. They were pretty nice guys. We got along pretty good."

Anzalone and Love are both being recruited by Ohio State as linebackers. Love had a chance to talk a little more in-depth with the coaching staff about the linebacker position at Ohio State.

"They said they see me as a linebacker and could see me playing either one of the two positions," he said. "If I end up deciding to go there, there will be a lot of competition, but I just have to do what I need to do to get better."

The chances of Love deciding to go with Ohio State have been high and are rising after this weekend's visit.

"They are definitely at the top of the list," Love said. "I am leaning towards them and they are basically the frontrunner."

Love has no set timetable for a decision, saying only that he is "definitely getting close," and that it will come before his senior season starts.

After Ohio State, Nebraska is clearly holding down the second spot on Love's interest list. His teammate, safety Marcus McWilson, has already committed to the Cornhuskers and will attend their spring game later this month. Love is unsure whether he will accompany him on that trip.