DaytonDailyNews.com

COLUMBUS — Nineteen young men signed national letters of intent to play football at Ohio State on Wednesday, but the one who postponed his commitment had the most tongues wagging.

Even head coach Jim Tressel, prohibited by NCAA rule from commenting on prospective recruits, alluded to Jeannette, Pa., quarterback Terrelle Pryor when he said of this class, "Twenty would be just right."

Chuckles filled the room at that point because it's no secret the Buckeyes are holding a place for the 6-foot-6 Pryor, whose athletic prowess has him being compared to Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young, among others.

"I guess we're allowed to say we're still recruiting at the quarterback position," Tressel said. "Can't go much beyond that."

Pryor on Wednesday held a press conference to say he needed more time to decide among Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State and Oregon. A visit to Oregon, thought to have been scrapped earlier in the week, appears to be back on.

Some of the new Buckeyes already have struck up friendships with Pryor and have done their best to influence him.

"Why should he come here?" offensive lineman Michael Brewster, a 6-foot-5, 300-pounder from Orlando, Fla., said, repeating a question. "Because we have one of the best coaches in the country and we have an offense that will mold him into a Heisman (Trophy) contender and make him ready for the NFL.

"Penn State's trying to bully him, play the in-state game. I just want to make sure he's protected, not only on the field, but off."

Brewster and J.B. Shugarts, a 6-foot-8 Texas native, enrolled in January. They wore red OSU jerseys in the Woody Hayes Center as Tressel unveiled his latest crop, complete with video highlights.

The class consists of eight offensive players, 10 defensive players and a kicker from Westerville, Ben Buchanan, who booted a 60-yard field goal last season. There are nine Ohioans, including Zach Domicone, the Beavercreek quarterback who will play safety.

Mike Adams, a 6-foot-8, 310-pound offensive tackle from Dublin Coffman, plans to enroll in March. Receiver Jake Stoneburner, his high school teammate, is also part of a class Tressel termed "extraordinary."

No tailbacks?

With Beanie Wells, Maurice Wells and Brandon Saine all in the fold, OSU did not add a pure tailback. "We feel like we're OK there as long as we don't get a rash of injuries," Tressel said. Lamaar Thomas, from Ft. Washington, Md., was a tailback in high school but projects more as a receiver.

Fullback Jermil Martin continues the Cleveland Glenville tradition, along with Shawntel Rowell, a 6-4, 304-pound defensive tackle nicknamed "Shaq."

A little levity

Tressel had Brewster and Shugarts say a few words in front of the room. He almost regretted it when Shugarts said fans should "be prepared for a lot of national championships" with this class.

To which Tressel responded, "Easy J.B."

OSU's recruits

Mike Adams, OL, 6-7, 305, Dublin (Ohio) Coffman HS

Michael Brewster, OL, 6-6, 300, Orlando (Fla.) Edgewater HS

Ben Buchanan, K/P, 6-0, 185, Westerville (Ohio) Central HS

Nic DiLillo, TE, 6-5, 245, Madison (Ohio) HS

Zach Domicone, S/LB, 6-2, 210, Beavercreek (Ohio) HS

Garrett Goebel, DT, 6-4, 270, Lombard (Ill.) Montini Catholic HS

Travis Howard, WR/CB, 6-1, 170, Miami Dr. Michael M. Krop HS

Orhian Johnson, DB, 6-2, 178, Gulfport (Fla.) Boca Ciega HS

Jermil Martin, FB/OLB, 5-11, 215, Cleveland Glenville HS

Willie Mobley, DE, 6-2, 263, Eden Prairie (Minn.) HS

DeVier Posey, WR, 6-3, 190, Cincinnati La Salle HS

Shawntel Rowell, DT/OG, 6-2, 330, Cleveland Glenville HS

Etienne Sabino, LB, 6-3, 230, Miami Dr. Michael M. Krop HS

J.B. Shugarts, OL, 6-7, 285, Klein (Texas) HS

Jake Stoneburner, TE/WR, 6-5, 220, Dublin (Ohio) Coffman HS

Andrew Sweat, MLB, 6-2, 233, Washington (Pa.) Trinity HS

Lamaar Thomas, RB/WR, 5-10, 178, Ft. Washington (Md.) Friendly HS

Keith Wells, DE, 6-5, 235, Gainesville (Ga.) HS

Nathan Williams, de/lb, 6-4, 245, Washington Court House (Ohio) Miami Trace HS