New Smyrna Beach's Clark to visit Ohio State this weekend
BRIAN LINDER STAFF WRITER
New Smyrna Beach wide receiver James Clark said Wednesday his final official visit will be to Ohio State this weekend.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH — New Smyrna Beach wide receiver James Clark said Wednesday night that his final official visit will be to Ohio State this weekend.
Clark's announcement followed an in-home visit from Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer on Wednesday night.
"(The visit) went well," Clark said. "(Meyer) came in, delivered his message and was straightforward with me.
"He kind of just said that he believed that Ohio State was the best as far as having both the best educational opportunities and best football," Clark added. "He had a strong case for Ohio State."
So strong that Clark, who said he was wavering between taking an official visit to Florida and not taking a final official visit at all, said he was excited about checking out what the Buckeyes have to offer.
Clark, a 5-foot-11, 170-pound senior speedster, caught 49 passes for 1,112 yards and eight touchdowns for the Barracudas in 2012.
"(Meyer) said they are looking for a guy that can come in and make an impact right away," Clark said. "He said speed is the aspect they are looking to add to the team."
Wednesday night's announcement continued a busy period for Clark as National Signing Day looms Feb. 6. He said he was visited Tuesday by a coach from Nebraska, and he went on an official visit at Clemson last weekend.
"The visit to Clemson was great," he said. "They told me they are looking for a guy, a big playmaker, that can come in and maybe go opposite Sammy Watkins — their big-time playmaker. And they talked about developing me off the field as well."
Clark said he is still interested in the Gators despite the fact that the official visit to Ohio State will replace a potential official visit to Florida.
"It was kind of to the point where I had already seen Florida," he said. "And it was just, 'Do I want to take this last official to a school a couple hours away?' OSU came in and said, 'Give us a chance.' Florida is right there, so it seemed like the right decision."
Clark, who claims more than30 offers, narrowed his list to four top schools — Florida, Nebraska, Clemson and Northwestern — on Jan. 7. He later added the Buckeyes to that list.
On Wednesday night, he said he still has not settled on a top school.
"I still feel that all the schools are in the picture," he said. "There is a possibility I can go to either one. My views and opinions have been steadily changing on the deal.
"It is not really (nerve-wracking)," he added. "At the end of the day, I don't feel like I can go wrong with either one. It is up to me to be successful. I'm just trying to pick the best school that will help me develop."