Commitment: Ohio State Flips Four-Star Wide Receiver Alex Stump

It didn't happen as early as he'd have liked, but the offer Alex Stump has been waiting for finally happened, during short visit with his family to Ohio State on Sunday, September 21st. With his parents present, the Buckeyes and Urban Meyer offered the Lakewood St. Edward's star wide receiver three weeks ago. 

Minutes ago, Alex Stump committed to Ohio State, even if it didn't happen as quickly as Ohio State would have liked.

The offer was in the works for a few weeks leading up to the big day, and today's decision is the culmination of years worth of hard work and a lifetime of big dreams.

"I actually really started to talk to Coach (Urban) Meyer in the early part of the season, after our opener against Gilman," Stump told Eleven Warriors. "They'd wanted me to come visit for a while, but we always play on Saturdays, so I couldn't make it. (Meyer) talked to me about how I played that game, and that they wanted me to call them later in the week. An offer from Ohio State would have always made things interesting, and about a month ago I thought it might be coming."

In mid-September two Ohio State coaches, Zach Smith and Kerry Coombs, checked out a number of prospects during St. Ed's game in Cincinnati against Elder. The pair were particularly interested in seeing the 6-foot-4, 190-pound Stump perform in person. Although the Wildcats commitment had an outstanding invitation to Ohio State for camps this summer, he had respectfully declined out his obligation and respect for Mark Stoops and the Kentucky staff.

"Ohio State wanted me to come camp all summer, and if I wasn't committed to Kentucky, I would have," Stump said. "I didn't feel right going there and essentially campaigning for an offer from another school. I'd hoped that if they wanted to offer me, seeing me in person and during a game would show what I could do."

Alex Stump has a rare size and speed combination that made it difficult for Ohio State to pass up..

That game, on that Saturday night in Cincinnati, provided Stump and his family an opportunity to visit Columbus on the way home Sunday.

"About a month ago, I talked with (Urban Meyer) again; he actually talked with me and my mom," he continued. "My dad works in Columbus, so he took some time one day and stopped by the facilities to talk with the coaches as well. That visit went well for him, and that's when we decided I'd make a visit on the way back from Cincinnati. (Meyer) told me that the offer was basically there, I just had to get down there with my family so we could all talk in person."

Meyer requesting an in-person visit made it was more and more clear to Stump — who also has scholarship offers from Stanford, Nebraska, West Virginia, Miami (Fla.) and more — that Ohio State was getting close to offering..

Alex Stump highlights via YouTube.

"They really wanted to just get to know everyone, to let my family and the coaches get to know each other better," Stump said of Sunday's trip. "I've got a couple of friends at Ohio State, so I'm already pretty comfortable and familiar with the campus and everything."

The decision to flip to Ohio State, even as a lifelong fan, wasn't an easy one for the talented pass-catcher.

"I have so much respect for Kentucky, the guys I've gotten to know through my recruitment, their coaches and everyone associated with their program, and now I've got a couple of teammates going there too," he said. "They believed in me from the start, and I appreciate that they gave me the opportunity. Letting coach (Mark) Stoops know I was changing my decision was incredibly difficult, because he's done so much for me. However, I have to make the decision that's the best for me and my family. I know that 'Big Blue Nation' is going to be disappointed, but I hope they'll respect what I've got to do and why. They are going to continue to see big things coming their way and I'll always root for them. This was not an easy decision, and I know people thought that it was going to be."

Now with his personal goal out of the way, Stump will turn his focus to rehabbing his surgically repaired foot, injured in the loss at Elder the night Ohio State watched him play. His senior season is over, but he doesn't regret the decision to have the injury addressed.

"I'm doing ok, my foot feels pretty good," he said of his rehab. "It's going to be a few months before I can get back to full-speed, and I'm in a cast for six more weeks. It sucks, but I know we made the right decision getting the surgery done as soon as possible."

After months as future Kentucky Wildcat, Alex Stump is now a future Buckeye. Growing up in Ohio has helped him appreciate what that means to him, and he's not going to be shy about trying to help Ohio State's recruiting class. That said, he won't spend time pressuring anyone to join him. He knows all too well that it's a personal decision every player has to make for himself.

"When I was going through my recruitment, I appreciated all the advice and input from anyone and everyone," he said. "I know what makes Ohio State an attractive place and why anyone should want to go play football there. There's a handful of guys I'd really like to play alongside and I'll talk with them, but everyone has to do what's best for them."

Stump becomes the 17th commitment in Ohio State's "Elite '15" recruiting class, and the eighth Ohioan to choose the Buckeyes. He's 247Sports.com's 15th-ranked player in the state.