As a whole, individual talent was down in Western Pennsylvania high school football this past season. Only 25 seniors from the WPIAL and City League signed letters of intent with Division I-A colleges yesterday, compared to 31 last year and 44 two years ago.

But you would have trouble convincing Ohio State that there wasn't much talent in the district's senior class. The Buckeyes struck it rich in the WPIAL.

Ohio State landed three WPIAL players -- Gateway linebacker Dorian Bell, Gateway defensive back-receiver Corey Brown and Jeannette running back-defensive back Jordan Hall.

But this is nothing new for Ohio State, at least in recent years. The Buckeyes have come into the area and landed a handful of top players. Last year, it was all-everything Jeannette quarterback Terrelle Pryor and Trinity linebacker Andrew Sweat.

"Things do go in cycles," said Bobby Burton, editor-in-chief of Rivals.com, a recruiting Web site. "It used to be Michigan coming in and taking players. Now Ohio State has taken over for Michigan."

Since 2004, Ohio State has signed nine players from the WPIAL. Compare that to Penn State, which has signed only 10 players from the WPIAL over the past five years. Penn State's only WPIAL recruit this year is offensive lineman Adam Gress of West Mifflin. Pitt signed six players from the WPIAL and also Ed Tinker, who played at a prep school this season after playing at Brashear in the City League.

Allderdice tight end-defensive end Will Clarke made a verbal commitment to Pitt but did not sign yesterday. He is now considering West Virginia and Akron.

Ohio State has always recruited Western Pennsylvania. Brian Baschnagel was a star North Allegheny running back in the early 1970s and went to Ohio State. But nine recruits since 2004?

"Actually, I don't know why they're getting players from here," said Gateway's Bell. "I just know that when you walk into that place, there is just a feeling you can't explain. Anywhere you go up there [at Ohio State], there is a special feeling. Even when you're just walking down the street. I can't see how people pass it up."

Not all of Ohio State's recruits from the WPIAL have been standouts. Some turned out to be ordinary players, at best, and some have turned into starters. Other WPIAL players who have signed with Ohio State since 2004 are Center offensive lineman Evan Blankenship, Trinity tight end Andrew Miller, Woodland Hills receiver Devon Lyons and Beaver tight end Rory Nicol.

"I think one of the reasons we've been successful there is the continuity in our coaching staff and also having [quarterbacks coach] Joe Daniels, who is from the Western Pennsylvania area," said John Peterson, Ohio State's recruiting coordinator and tight ends coach. "He has a lot of contacts and relationships with high school coaches in that area. So I think it's a combination of that, obviously the proximity and playing in the Big Ten is appealing to a lot of these kids."

Gateway's Bell was widely regarded as the No. 1 player in the area. Gateway's Brown is also ranked highly in scouting services.

"I think what Ohio State is doing is a testament to the draw of the Big Ten a little, in comparison to the Big East," Burton said. Ten WPIAL players signed with colleges from non-BCS conferences. Next year's crop of WPIAL players isn't expected to be any better, as a whole. But Ohio State will be recruiting in the area again.

Two other top WPIAL players who signed at places other than Pitt, Penn State and West Virginia are Seneca Valley quarterback C.J. Brown (Maryland) and Montour defensive back E.J. Banks (Notre Dame).