Tasked with deciding between the only two homes he’s ever known, Austin Lake Travis five-star wide receiver and Dublin native Garrett Wilson committed to Ohio State over finalist Texas on Sunday evening.
I sacrificed time, fun, and relationships to be in this position. Recruiting is a grueling process, but god showed me the way. I got unfinished business in the 614... Im coming home. #TTWFO pic.twitter.com/W9xRyot1Bs
— Garrett Wilson (@GarrettWilson_V) April 30, 2018
The Wilson File
- Class: 2019
- Size: 6-foot, 185 pounds
- Pos: WR
- School: Lake Travis (Austin, TX)
- Composite Rating: ★★★★★
- Composite Rank: 5 (WR)
The 6-foot, 185-pound Wilson is considered the fifth-best wide receiver and No. 29 prospect overall in the Class of 2019. He recently narrowed his list of more than 30 offers to the Buckeyes and Longhorns.
Wilson first came onto Ohio State’s radar while the staff was in pursuit of his teammate and eventual four-star quarterback signee Matthew Baldwin. They offered him a scholarship in December, just days after Baldwin committed.
“It's huge,” Wilson told Eleven Warriors. “I always went and saw some of the best players play there. I think I can fit that mold. I also have lots of forever friends up there that I'd be able to see more often. [It's a] big offer for me.”
Despite spending most of his formative years in Texas and the Longhorns being just a stone’s skip down the Colorado River from Lake Travis, Wilson’s memories of the Buckeyes remained vivid.
“Those fans were the best in the country, for sure,” he said. “The atmosphere every time was awesome, and I can't wait to see it again.”
Wilson finally made his first trip back to Columbus for a spring practice in late March. He was able to spend time with family and friends who’ve remained in the area after he moved to the Lone Star State in sixth grade, then ventured to campus to meet with head coach Urban Meyer, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Ryan Day and wide receivers coach Zach Smith.
“[They said] that this is a place that’s gonna set me up to be able to get drafted,” Wilson said. “But then if it doesn’t go like that — which it mostly doesn’t — they can set me up with jobs and have connections for me to be successful after football.”
Days later, Wilson announced his Final 2 and set official visits for each program’s Spring Game — with a decision to come shortly thereafter. He returned to Columbus earlier this month with his parents, Kenny and Candice, and the visit exceeded their expectations.
“I didn’t think they’d be able to match the first [visit], but it was really just as good,” Wilson said. “I met a lot of people that meant a lot to the program and just Ohio State as a university.”
The highlight of Wilson’s weekend came when he met New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas, who was among the dozens of former Buckeyes who now play in the National Football League in attendance.
“We really just talked like we had known each other for forever,” Wilson said. “He really surprised me with how it was just regular conversation flow and nothing forced. I wouldn’t say he had a main message [for me], but just that the competition here makes you better.”
That resonated with Wilson, even through last weekend's official visit to Austin. Though proximity favored the Longhorns, the life-long bonds that he’s created in Columbus; opportunities provided on and off the field; and sentimentality of coming home to play for his childhood favorite team gave the Buckeyes the edge in his recruitment.
Wilson becomes the ninth member of Ohio State’s Dynasty ‘19 recruiting class, joining Indiana four-star running back Sampson James, West Virginia four-star offensive tackle Doug Nester, Mentor four-star offensive tackle Ryan Jacoby, Mentor four-star defensive end Noah Potter, Lexington four-star linebacker Cade Stover, Georgia four-star athlete Steele Chambers, New Jersey four-star athlete “Rocket” Ronnie Hickman and Maryland three-star safety Bryson Shaw.
