Ohio State offers Gateway DB; Buckeyes also one of two finalists for standout TE

By Mike White | Friday, April 23, 2010, 11:45 p.m.

Some recruiting items

Gateway defensive back Dondi Kirby now has more than a dozen scholarship offers. The most recent came from Ohio State.

We all know how the Buckeyes have done very well in recruiting Western Pa. in recent years and they might have some success here again. Ohio State, Pitt, Michigan and North Carolina are among the schools that have offered Kirby, a 6-foot-1, 170-pound junior.

"Most of the schools like him as a big corner who could eventually grow into a big safety," said Gateway coach Terry Smith.

Smith said Kirby isn't close to making a decision and it will most likely be months before he decides. Smith was at Ohio State last weekend, watching some spring practices. Two of Smith's former players - Dorian Bell and Corey Brown - are freshmen for the Buckeyes. Smith said both are playing special teams and are backups right now, but Smith said he thinks both could play some this season, especially Bell. With a few other linebackers graduating after the 2010 season, Smith believes Bell could be a starter in 2011.

Both Brown and Bell were redshirted in 2009 and have four years eligibility.

Another former WPIAL linebacker apparently doing well at Ohio State is Trinity graduate Andrew Sweat. He might have a chance to start in 2010.

While on Gateway recruiting, junior linebacker-receiver Armstead Williams recently picked up an offer from Iowa as a receiver. Maryland, Illinois, North Carolina State and a few others also have offered Williams.

"Iowa is the first school to offer him as a receiver," Smith said. "All of the others like him as a linebacker."

Ohio State and Koyack

Oil City junior tight end Ben Koyack is one of the most heavily-recruited players in the state from the class of 2011. Koyack reportedly narrowed his choices to two this week - Ohio State and Notre Dame. He had scholarship offers from schools across the country.

Basketball recruiting

Sewickley Academy senior guard Tyler Palmer, son of coach Win Palmer, will play next season at Wittenberg.