The 11W Community Interview is truly of the people, by the people, and for the people. You submit the questions, vote on them, and then we pass the top ones on to the biggest names in the world of Ohio State athletics.
Everyone knew Jerome Baker was going to be a Buckeye, but it didn't go down exactly as planned. After nearly two years of being recruited by Ohio State, the Cleveland Benedictine standout surprised everyone when he committed to Florida instead of the home-state Buckeyes.
After months of speculation, Baker took a visit to Ohio State in late September and by the middle of October, he'd flipped his commitment from the struggling Gators to the eventual national champion Buckeyes. Ohio's third-ranked player in 2015 and a four-star athlete, Baker and his Benedictine teammates won the 2014 state championship in Division IV, the second in school history.
Now, Baker takes some time from his college preparation to talk with 11W readers in this week's Community Interview.
What is your pre-game ritual? Any certain songs that get you pumped up before it's go time? - Unleash_the_Dave
JB: I always eat Skittles right after we get off the bus. I listen to Nicki Minaj's Anaconda a lot. My teammates even recorded me dancing to it (laughs).
It's awesome that you are a Buckeye now but curious, what prompted you to choose Florida at first and then to flip to the Buckeyes? - MacG91
JB: Florida felt like a good fit for me but things change. I'm happy to be a Buckeye. I was talking about this with my dad yesterday about that and he was saying it has given a sense of pride throughout my family, my friends, and my community.
Does the fact that the Buckeyes just won the National Championship add extra motivation to you and the other Elite 15 members to work harder to do it again? - BuckGuyFan1
JB: Yes it does. I even find myself doing an extra rep or something like that cause we are National Champions and we have to show that all the time. We have to work even harder to stay there.
Who do you model your game after? - WesPatterson23
JB: I model my game after Ryan Shazier. I watch his film all the time. He plays so fast and so aggressive and I want to do the same.
How often do you and Justin Layne talk about playing together at the next level? - BuckeyesVStheWorld
JB: Me and Justin sometimes joke around about it. But I really don't want him to feel any pressure coming from me to attend OSU. He's going to do what is best for himself and his family just like I had to.
What were some of the differences between your official visits to OSU and FL, or any other school? I'm not talking about the feel of a place but rather the nuts and bolts of what they have you guys doing. Did the visits have the same structure (talk to academic support, look at facilities, visit places to relax around campus, etc.) or did one school do something very unique from the other? - JS2378
JB: Well at Florida it was laid back, and we just did what we felt like. At Ohio State it was planned out and it really made you feel special and it showcased the campus very well. Everything had a time and a place and it was very organized.
Dumbest tweet you've seen about yourself during the recruiting process? - MotownBuck
JB: The dumbest tweets are when people say I am scared of the SEC or something like that. I know I can play anywhere and the Big Ten is getting better and better.
What do you plan to study at Ohio State? - BuckeyeGrownFloridaLiving
JB: Computer Engineering is what I plan to study, something like that. Getting an education is just as important as playing football.
What recruit/recruits are you closest with and have you made plans on who you will live with next year? - Buckeye4Life050233
JB: I'm close with Eric Glover-Williams, Alex Stump, and Dre'Mont Jones, all the Northeast Ohio guys, really. We're all excited to come to Ohio State together and represent home.
Ohio State has a rich history of producing outstanding linebackers; who is your favorite? - TeddyBallgame
JB: Again, I'd say Ryan Shazier. He is probably my favorite linebacker. His speed and athleticism is what I try to imitate. Plus he seems like a great teammate.
What is your favorite WHAC feature/perk? Anything you saw at other schools you wish OSU had? - IDontSmellGood
JB: The only thing that could make Ohio State "better" would be warmer weather. Other than that, there's nothing anyone else has on the Buckeyes.
After Durkin was hired by Harbaugh at UM did he try to reach out on contact you at all? - Groveport Heisman
JB: Yeah, he did. Coach Durkin is a great guy and I know he'll do well up there but Ohio State is where I want to be.
