Ohio State isn't exactly in Andrew Sweat's back yard. But it is a lot closer to home than Notre Dame, and that was a big factor in Sweat's college decision.

Sweat, a junior linebacker at Trinity High School in Washington and one of the most heavily recruited players in the WPIAL, made a verbal commitment last night to Ohio State. He had scholarship offers from schools across the country but had narrowed his choices to Ohio State and Notre Dame.

Sweat (6 feet 2, 225 pounds) visited Ohio State and Notre Dame this past weekend. He had been to Notre Dame twice before, but took a plane ride to Chicago. This past weekend, he drove with his parents to Notre Dame.

"I wanted to see how long it took to drive there. It was long," Sweat said. "To me, proximity to home was huge in my decision."

Ohio State is only a 2¹/₂-hour drive for Sweat.

"I really wasn't sure about Ohio State until about two days ago," Sweat said. "They had been my favorite, but I really liked Notre Dame. Then I sat down with my parents and discussed everything, and came away deciding Ohio State was the place for me.

"I just think Ohio State has the best people. They have great facilities and everything, but they had the best people -- from coaches to players."

After Ohio State and Notre Dame, Sweat's other finalists were Pitt, Penn State, Michigan and Florida. Sweat, who has a 4.2 grade point average, can't sign a binding letter of intent with Ohio State until February.

Sweat won't be the only Division I linebacker on this year's Trinity team. Teammate Mike Yancich, a 6-2, 220-pound junior, has offers from Pitt, Penn State, West Virginia, Michigan State, Georgia Tech and Boston College, among others.

"I think he's favoring Penn State, but I'm not sure," Sweat said.