Last Friday night, after a recruitment process that lasted several years, senior A.J. Alexander put an end to all the speculation about where he would play football next fall. Before the Bruins’ game against Robinson, Alexander announced to the team in the locker room that he had chosen the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Alexander, who is ESPNU’s 53rd-ranked wide receiver in the country and 18th-ranked prospect in the state of Virginia, had received 19 offers from Division I programs, the first of which came from UVA last summer. In the year-plus since, he has been very productive for LB on both sides of the ball. Last year, he was a key cog for the team that won its first 12 games, catching nine passes for touchdowns and adding five interceptions as a defensive back. Despite the constant speculation about where he would play, he came much closer to making his choice last month.

“I got to go on my unofficial visits [to Ohio State and Wisconsin], see the campuses, talk to the coaches and see everything in person,” he said.

Choosing between the two programs proved tougher. Before deciding on one school over another, Alexander discussed the matter with those close to him, and in the end, he decided he wanted to be a Buckeye.

“It felt right. [I was] talking to my parents and family about it, making sure that they were comfortable with the decision because it affects them as well,” he said. “It’s something I felt comfortable with, and I’m glad I made my decision.”

Since college players have careers no longer than four years, recruits are usually drawn not by the strength of the present team but by the prestige of the program and the coaches. Ohio State and Wisconsin are coached by Urban Meyer and Gary Anderson, respectively, but they’re not the only ones on staff who take part in the recruiting process. In fact, it was Buckeye defensive line coach Larry Johnson that recruited Alexander to join the program.

“Between Ohio State and Wisconsin, those were two coaching staffs that were near and dear to me, that kept in contact with me all throughout the few-year process,” he said.

Although the commitment has been made, Alexander is still focused on this football season, his last with the Bruins. The team is currently 2-1 and travels to Westfield this week.

“I can’t look too far into the future. We’ve still got this season. Once that last minute, that last second ticks off the clock and we lose or we win a ring, I’m still thinking about LB football,” he said.