Rivals250 CB commits on visit to Ohio State

Ohio State picked up some major help today in the secondary in Indian Head (Md.) Lackey cornerback Darrell Givens. During halftime of the spring game, the 5-foot-11, 174-pounder made a pledge to the Buckeyes over offers from Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, Rutgers, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Florida, Illinois, Miami, Michigan and numerous others.

"I committed at halftime of the spring game," he said. "I talked to Coach Tressel and he was very excited. He was just telling me how they were hurting at the cornerback position and how they needed corners. He thinks I can make a big impact there as a freshman.

"I told him I was committing and then he said, 'Are you serious?' I told him it's official; I want to be a Buckeye. After that, all he said was that he was going to make sure I succeed in life as a person and not just as a football player."

Heading into the trip, Givens had no plan to commit.

"I was coming into the visit not expecting to commit," he said. "I just wanted to take it for what it was, but once I saw how family-oriented the environment is, it was a no brainer.

"I like the way the coaching staff was real with me and the way they players are. They accepted me already as family. I liked Coach Johnson a lot too. He was just real cool, straight forward and telling me how he wants me to make an impact as a freshman. I wanted to surround myself with people like him for the next four or five years."

The trip was the first one for Givens to Columbus.

"The atmosphere was great," he said. "It was crazy. It was raining and they still had 75,000 people there in attendance for the game, that was huge for me."

Meanwhile, Givens confirmed he is done with the process.

"It's over, I'm glad with the decision to commit to Ohio State, it feels really good."