Dorian Bell felt absolutely certain. So he figured why wait.

Bell, a standout linebacker at Gateway High School, announced at a news conference yesterday he had made a verbal commitment to Ohio State. Although Bell is only a junior and can't sign a binding letter of intent with the Buckeyes until February of his senior year, he said there will be no changing his mind.

"Some people love [recruiting]," Bell said. "They just want to keep riding and riding it. To me, I just wanted to get it over with because I knew I was comfortable with my decision."

Bell (6 feet 1/2, 225 pounds) is considered the top college prospect in the WPIAL for next season. Both rivals.com and scout.com rank him among the top 25 juniors in the country. His decision means Ohio State has landed the WPIAL's top player in two consecutive classes. Jeannette senior quarterback Terrelle Pryor signed with Ohio State last month.

And the Buckeyes could get another WPIAL junior, as Jeannette running back Jordan Hall is leaning to Ohio State.

Bell, who was recruited to play outside linebacker, had more than 30 scholarship offers and said his other favorites were Florida, Florida State, Penn State and North Carolina.

Bell had visited Penn State, Maryland, North Carolina and Michigan but said Ohio State had been his top choice ever since he visited the school as a sophomore, along with current Gateway seniors Cam Saddler and Shayne Hale, who are Pitt recruits. Until that visit, Bell liked Michigan best.

Bell visited Ohio State three more times the next year, including a visit to the Columbus, Ohio, campus for Saturday's spring game. His father and uncle accompanied him Saturday, and the Buckeyes apparently won over the entire Bell family.

"I wanted to sign," Bell's father, Joe, said with a laugh.

Dorian Bell said, "It felt like I never left home. It was just great. The fans, the coaches, everybody. It was just a wonderful time."

Bell didn't feel strongly about either district team -- Pitt or Penn State.

"My mom and I went to a Pitt practice, and we were just like, 'No.' I just didn't like it there," Bell said. "Penn State, I loved that place. The only thing about it is Joe Paterno told me, 'I'm looking for a linebacker who can play running back.' I don't want to play running back."

Bell will play some running back at Gateway, though. Gateway coach Terry Smith had high praise for Bell.

"He's the best pure athlete I've ever coached," Smith said. "The reason I say that is because he can play any skill position -- receiver, tight end, fullback, running back, linebacker, cornerback, safety. And he can be the best at all of them. Other players I've had are kind of pinpointed in one position."