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Butler lineman Decker likely not playing for OSU's Meyer

Urban Meyer has shown interest in Taylor Decker.

aylor Decker, a 6-foot-8, 285 pound offensive tackle from Vandalia Butler High School has commited to Notre Dame.

Chris Griffith/Staff Photographer aylor Decker, a 6-foot-8, 285 pound offensive tackle from Vandalia Butler High School has commited to Notre Dame.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Marc F. Pendleton, Staff Writer 10:51 PM Saturday, December 17, 2011

A few blue-chip high school football prospects throughout the state have broken verbal commitments to side with new Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer.

That list does not include Vandalia Butler offensive lineman Taylor Decker, who apparently will honor his commitment to Notre Dame.

Decker, a 6-foot-8, 288-pound offensive tackle, did not receive an offer from OSU while former head coach Jim Tressel was in place. Decker verbally committed to the Irish last spring when Tressel’s era at OSU was unraveling.

New Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer has contacted Butler head coach Greg Bush. Decker did not respond to several attempts for comment.

OSU’s lack of pursuit of Decker was puzzling to Bush. Decker had offers from most of the elite Big Ten football programs.

“It wasn’t like Ohio State didn’t know that (Decker) was here,” Bush said. “We didn’t keep it a secret.

“I’ve had as much contact (with OSU) since Urban took the job as before (his hiring). You can read whatever you want into that.”

Bush senses the Aviators’ big man is set on ND.

“Obviously, Notre Dame is a great school,” he said. “He’s happy to go to South Bend and he has a verbal commitment to go there.

“As a man of integrity, he would follow through on that commitment. In the big picture, most people would respect that.”

Contact this writer at (937) 225-2381 or mpendleton@ DaytonDailyNews.com.

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