It wasn't an easy route to get here, but Detroit Cass Tech running back Mike Weber has committed to Ohio State. He becomes the 23rd member of the Buckeyes 2015 recruiting class and the second Cass Tech pledge, joining two-way lineman Josh Alabi, who committed during Friday Night Lights in July. Weber committed to Urban Meyer face-to-face as Meyer and Kerry Coombs visited the Detroit high school on Monday morning.
Weber has long been a fan of the Buckeyes and at multiple points in the process confirmed that Ohio State was his a favorite to land him. Despite that, Weber verbally committed to the University of Michigan in early August and appeared resolute in finalizing his recruitment. As the Wolverines season unfurled, the writing on the wall becoming clearer and clearer that coaching changes were inevitable in Ann Arbor, rumors of Weber's wavering began. Those rumors culminated with a public decommitment from Michigan on November 22nd, a week before Ohio State and Michigan played the 111th Game in the their legendary rivalry.
The Weber File
- Size: 5-10/205
- Position: RB
- Class: 2015
- School: Cass Tech (Detroit, Mich.)
- Composite Rank: 13 (RB)
- Composite Rating: ★★★★
Upon his decommitment, reports immediately began that Weber would visit Ohio State, Michigan State and possibly USC or Tennessee. Then, the big new offers came rolling in from Alabama, Georgia and Notre Dame and all sorts of new speculation began. Weber contributed to the intrigue as well, the regularly quiet tailback took to his Twitter as the college football playoff teams were announced.
Two of my top 3 schools are in the the playoffs
— Mikey (@mikeweber25) December 7, 2014
Ohio State and Michigan State, as well as Wisconsin, have been considered the favorites to land Weber since he re-opened his recruitment and with today's announcement, the Buckeyes have their running back for 2015. As the only running back in the "Elite '15," there's a good chance that Ohio State's need at the position is what gave them the leg up over their competition. Of course, the Buckeyes commitment to the running game and Weber's Cass Tech teammates already at Ohio State and going to Ohio State next year don't hurt, either. His father, Mike Weber, Sr. told MLive.com that football is a way of life for his Army All-American son.
"(Football) was like love at first sight," his father said. "He eats, sleeps it - everything. He just had a love for it like that."
His work ethic is what sets him apart, according to Jermaine Crowell, now the head coach at Belleville (Michigan) High School. Crowell has coached Weber for years.
"Mike is not a vocal guy," Crowell said. "He never has been. He just steps up his intensity in practice and on game days Mikey would run over a grandmother."
"There can not be three better running backs than Mike Weber," Crowell continued. "He's not the biggest, he's not the fastest, but he has heart and desire that can't be measured. He has a passion for the game I've never seen."
As a senior, Weber ran for 2,130 yards and scored 28 touchdowns for the Technicians. In the first round of the Michigan football playoffs this fall, he set a school record with 404 yards rushing and five touchdowns.
