Ohio State won't sign ESPN 150 ATH Torrence

Ohio State will not sign Massillon (Ohio) Washington running back DeVoe Torrence on national signing day, according to various sources.

For weeks there has been speculation that the 6-2, 210-pound Torrence -- considered one of the nation's top prospects -- would not sign with Ohio State. There were ongoing off-the-field concerns with Torrence, the younger brother of OSU freshman wide receiver Devon Torrence.

Bucknuts.com's Bill Kurelic confirmed those reports Tuesday night in a post on The Front Row message board as did Todd Porter in Wednesday's Canton Repository.

According to the Canton Repository, "Torrence lost his scholarship for off-the-field issues which may include academic problems, sources said. The Repository first reported earlier this month that one of Ohio's top recruits had not scheduled an official visit to Ohio State."

The Repository tried unsuccessfully to contact Torrence as well as his brother Devon.

According to research by The Repository, this will be the first time in at least 15 years a Stark County player has not signed a scholarship offer with the Buckeyes. That is a string of signees that even Franklin County cannot boast in recent years.

Torrence transferred from Canton South to Massillon Washington for his senior year. It was an up-and-down season for Torrence at Massillon, which finished 6-4 and missed the playoffs. He did have a 283-yard, four-touchdown game against eventual Division I state runner-up Mentor. He finished with 1,062 yards and 11 touchdowns on 177 carries (6.0 average per carry).

Torrence began the season also playing some on defense as a linebacker, but ended the year strictly as an offensive player. Torrence was the only pure tailback slotted to sign with the Buckeyes. OSU also has a commitment from Cleveland Glenville's Jermil Martin, but he figures to also play fullback.

He was ranked as high as No. 64 on ESPN.com's list of the nation's top 150 prospects.

The Buckeyes will have four returnees at running back in 2008, led by 1,600-yard rusher Chris "Beanie" Wells. But Wells will be in his junior year and could opt  with another big season  to leave for the NFL prior to 2009.

Also due back are senior Maurice Wells, sophomore Brandon Saine and redshirt freshman Daniel "Boom" Herron.

Accordingly, running back will become a true priority for OSU in its 2009 recruiting class.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/football/news/story?id=3221867