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.
No matter who you ask, the answer will never be the same about Torrance Gibson. To some, he's a misunderstood, enigmatic young man from a tough situation that will excel when he's given structure. To others, he's a byproduct of a broken system that turns teenagers into folk heroes and watches with glee as they crumble under the weight of the expectations they neither asked for or created. However you see it, Gibson's tale and road to Ohio State will be a cautionary tale for recruits about the perils of social media and how – whether you want it to or not – it affects the way everyone perceives you as a player and as a person.
After the ups and downs and after two years of being recruited by most of college football's elite, Gibson is ready to move on to the next phase of his life. His incredible high school career is over and he's months away from a life-changing move to Columbus. Today, he talks about the recruiting process with 11W readers.
What made you decide to choose the Buckeyes and stay with the Buckeyes and move so far away from home to be a part of The Ohio State University? - ItWasMe
TG: What made me choose Ohio State? First, they were still recruiting me when everyone else stopped. They stuck with me when rumors were coming out saying I did this or I did that. Urban Meyer is a great person to be around, and the whole coaching staff is awesome – he put together a tremendous staff. I remember the first time meeting him at Friday Night Lights and he was pumped with so much energy, and I've never seen a coach so excited to see a recruit. From there we just had a great connection, and of course they're giving me a real shot of playing quarterback. My mom always told me there is nothing left in Miami and I should try something different, so I did. Being far away from home isn't gonna affect me. I mean I will miss my mom and my family, but moving far away is gonna make me grow up and become the man she knows I can be.
What are your thoughts on stepping into the fiercest quarterback competition in college football? - CajunBuckeye
TG: You have Braxton Miller, Cardale Jones, J.T. Barrett, Stephen Collier, Joe Burrow and myself. This is going to be a great quarterback battle! I just have go in there and compete for the job. I know what I can do and I know nothing is going to be handed to me. Everything I've accomplished in my career, I've earned. Some people might think I'm crazy going into a situation like this and I will never play, but that is one of the reasons why I stayed with my commitment. I knew about the QB situation and I love competition; I'm a competitor. Anything could happen in college football so everyone will have to wait and see how this situation plays out.
How tired were you of people questioning your commitment? - BuckeyeVsTheWorld
TG: I was little tired of it but I couldn't let that affect me. People are going to question everything I do for the rest of my life and I can't let that affect me. Everyone isn't going to like me and like what I do and what decision I make in life but it's my life, and I'm going to live it how I need to for me and my family. I just have to stay positive, put God first and I'll be just fine.
As one of the most followed players on social media this year, how do you feel about fans tweeting you and what was the craziest tweet you got? - Magic Conch Shell
TG: I feel like fans need to express themselves, good or bad. It's their opinion and everyone is going to have one. I've gotten some "interesting" tweets and messages from fans saying a lot of inappropriate things and I'll just keep it at that. Some people just wish me nothing but the best which I appreciate. I try not to remember when people speak negative to me and I just stay positive.
I do remember one message from a little kid saying that "I was his hero and he can't wait till he see me play in the 'Shoe."
Has the recruiting process played any part in your maturation? Do you feel like being such a public figure before even enrolling in college will make it easier to handle the attention and scrutiny that will come when you are a starter at Ohio State? - OSU407
TG: I wouldn't say it played a big role but you can say it's up there. At first I was about the attention because I thought the process was suppose to be about kids having fun and enjoying the process. But then I started to think that this is real, I have to make the best decision for me. That's when I begin to let everything sink in and just do what's best for me and my family. When I enroll into The Ohio State University everything I did in the past is gone. Everything that I accomplished in high school doesn't matter in college. I've gotta prove myself to everything that I will do whatever it takes to become the starter.
Which of the other guys in the 2015 recruiting class are you closest with? - Killer Nuts
TG: I'm close with Mike Weber, Isaiah Prince, Matthew Burrell, Jerome Baker, Jashon Cornell and Justin Hilliard. I'm really close with these guys because we met a couple of times and we built that brother connection already. I'm looking forward to getting to know them even better.
If you could recruit any one wide receiver in the 2016 class to be your "go-to" receiver, who would it be? - 1MechEng
When I enroll into The Ohio State University everything I did in the past is gone. Everything that I accomplished in high school doesn't matter in college. I've gotta prove myself..
TG: Sam Bruce from St. Thomas Aquinas. He is so quick off the line and his routes are clean. Bruce can play H-back or wide receiver and he can make you miss more than once. Just put the ball in his hand and watch him go to work. I'd love to bring him north with me.
What was your biggest high during the recruiting process and what was your biggest low? - Ronbizi
TG: The biggest high was taking visits, exploring the country. I've always dreamt about going around and seeing all of these different campuses and meeting new people. My biggest low I would probably say was when fans started getting involved and with the negative comments. They seemed to forget that despite all the attention, I'm just a teenager. There were a ton of messages that had me like "wow." How can a person put this on social media so everyone could see?
Tell us something interesting about yourself outside of football? - The
TG: Well I play around a lot, I'm like a little kid when I'm not playing football. I like playing with my nephews, we play video games, we play basketball, we watch TV. Sometimes we do some weird things that get us in trouble but that's what being a kid is all about having fun and being yourself. We also talk about life and I'm teaching him the ropes about becoming a man. Personally I love playing with kids because I can be myself and kids enjoy spending time with people like that. Basically I'm good at being Torrance Gibson, it's all I know how to be.
What is your connection with Urban Meyer like? It’s obvious you two have a special connection, what makes him the right coach for you? - TeddyHeisman
TG: My connection with Urban Meyer is great! It's been like since the first time I met him at Friday Night Lights. We just have that connection with each other where I can talk to him about anything. When I met him I knew he was the right coach for me. We both have the same passion for football. Coach Meyer brings intensity to practice and games and he coaches with passion; he just loves what he does. I can't wait to win another national championship with him and create more of those special memories with him, the football team and the greatest fans in the land.
The future is looking bright for The Ohio State Buckeyes! Get ready for the best three to four years because the 2015 class and the guys after us are going to come take over the college world. We're just getting started. #GoBucks
