It should come as no surprise Ohio State has landed another top player from Western Pennsylvania this week. Looking back at recent recruiting classes, the Buckeyes seem to get a player from the WPIAL almost every year.

Ohio State's most recent recruit from the WPIAL is Gateway junior linebacker Dorian Bell, who made a verbal commitment to the Buckeyes Monday. Last month, Ohio State signed Jeannette senior quarterback Terrelle Pryor, ranked the No. 1 player in the country by some scouting services.

Also from the class of 2008, Ohio State signed Trinity linebacker Andrew Sweat. In 2007, Ohio State signed offensive lineman Evan Blankenship of Center. In 2006, Trinity tight end-offensive lineman Andrew Miller was an Ohio State recruit. In 2004, Ohio State signed two WPIAL players -- Woodland Hills receiver Devon Lyons and Beaver tight end Rory Nicol.

Bell liked Michigan the best until he visited Ohio State as a sophomore. Bell also visited Michigan as a sophomore with the older brother of Michigan receiver Steve Breaston, a Woodland Hills graduate.

"I loved it at Michigan. Then I went to Ohio State, and it was like, 'Bye Michigan,'" Bell said.

Gateway has another junior who is being heavily recruited, but doesn't have a scholarship offer from Ohio State. Corey Brown, a cornerback-receiver, has more than 30 offers from Division I schools and Bell said he is hoping Ohio State decides to make an offer to his teammate. While Bell answered questions at a small news conference Monday afternoon at Gateway, Brown stood in the background, waving an Ohio State flag.

"He's looking at Pitt strongly, and West Virginia strongly -- and North Carolina and Penn State," Gateway coach Terry Smith said of Brown. "He's more wide open than Dorian. Corey wants to go through at least this spring and see who else comes through."

Two other Gateway juniors -- tight end-defensive end Brendan Stevens and lineman Colin Rodkey -- also have offers from Division I schools. Smith said as many as eight Gateway juniors could end up with Division I offers by next year.

"We can be just as good as when Justin King was here or as good as last year," Bell said.

Although his future position is linebacker, the 6-foot ??-inch, 225-pound Bell will play some at tailback next season for Gateway. Bell has run the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds.

"We're going to use Brian Williams and Jeff Parrish some there also," Smith said. "We're going to go with a three-headed monster at tailback to give teams a lot to prepare for, because they're all different.

"The best thing about Dorian is the second half," Smith said. "When teams start to get tired, and their courage starts to get questioned, are they going to want to hit someone who's 225 pounds?"