Jeannette High School quarterback Terrelle Pryor and running back Jordan Hall were central figures in the Jayhawks' run to WPIAL and PIAA football championships last season.

Perhaps someday they'll play in the same backfield again at Ohio State.

Hall, a junior, made a verbal commitment to Ohio State Monday night. Last month, Pryor, a senior, signed a letter of intent with Ohio State.

"Terrelle's not the reason I chose Ohio State," Hall said. "I just felt it was the right place for me."

Hall was the second WPIAL player to choose Ohio State Monday. Gateway linebacker Dorian Bell, ranked by scouting services as one of the top 20 juniors in the country, also committed to the Buckeyes.

Since 2004, Ohio State has landed eight players from the WPIAL.

Hall, 5 feet 9, 189 pounds, is projected to be one of the WPIAL's top running backs this season. He rushed for 872 yards on 103 carries last season and scored 32 touchdowns. He also will play some at quarterback this season.

Hall also had scholarship offers from Pitt, Penn State, Michigan and Notre Dame. Jeannette coach Ray Reitz said he was surprised Hall committed to Ohio State so early because he hasn't visited many colleges. Hall attended a Penn State game with Pryor last fall and also visited Pitt.

"But I think he saw what Terrelle went through, with waiting so long to make a decision," Reitz said. "I think he just wants to concentrate on his senior year and getting bigger and stronger."

Pryor visited Ohio State two months ago for "junior day," and then attended the Buckeyes' spring game Saturday.

"I was thinking about Ohio State after their junior day," Hall said. "Then when I went up for the spring game, that did it. I like the coaches, the atmosphere, everything about it."

Hall can't sign a binding letter of intent until February of his senior year. Some players who make verbal commitments in the spring of their junior years have second thoughts at some point and start looking at other schools. Hall insisted that won't happen to him.

"It's Ohio State, for sure," Hall said. "I don't have any doubts in my mind."

Reitz said Ohio State plans to eventually use Hall at tailback "for maybe 20 plays a game. They think he can catch the ball out of the backfield, too. He plays a lot bigger than he is.

"Plus, he and Terrelle have great work ethics and that's going to help them."

Hall, who has run the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds, isn't concerned about his size.

"Look at Barry Sanders and what he did. And he's shorter than me," Hall said.