Witten building relationships with Buckeyes, Michigan battle brewing?

INDIANAPOLIS — For the second consecutive year, the Cleveland (Ohio) Glenville crew stole the show at the annual Best of the Midwest combine in Indianapolis. The Tarblooders had numerous positional MVP’s at Monday’s event and one of the most notable performances came from tight end/athlete Damarion Witten.

The major Ohio State target caught everything thrown his away and showed the high level athleticism that he brings to the tight end position.

“I felt pretty good,” Witten told BuckeyeHuddle.com of his performance. “First time getting back on the field since the state championship. I just had to get used to it and getting back into my rhythm and I feel like I did a good job.”

Ohio State has been recruiting Witten hard in recent months and things have only picked up since naming Keenan Bailey tight ends coach after Kevin Wilson departed to take the head coaching position at Tulsa. Witten and Bailey have quickly bonded.

“Coach Kee, since he’s so young, I can really relate to him,” Witten said. “Me and him are building a great relationship. I feel like long term, I could be the next first round tight end to come out of Ohio State.”

Many of the conversations with Ohio State have centered around Witten’s fit in the offense. The Buckeyes featured the tight end more this past season than in years past and would like Witten to help continue that trend. But Witten is also dedicated to becoming well-rounded prospect.

“I’m going to put my hand in the dirt,” he said. “I love to block, that’s one of my passions. (Ohio State) said that I’d be a flex, Cade Stover type of tight end. I really think I’d fit into the offense just like Cade Stover. I feel like later on in the future, if I ended up there, it would be a great fit for me.”

New offers are continuing to come in for Witten, including one from Tennessee this week. The four-star talent is looking to take some visits this spring and has a handful of programs in mind.

“I’m planning on going to their spring game (at Ohio State),” he started. “And then I’m planning to take an official visit in June. I’m trying to make it to Oregon, Purdue, Michigan, West Virginia, Kentucky, the schools that have been contacting me (the most).”

While there are a few out-of-region schools under consideration, such as Oregon, Witten’s recruitment has very much of a Midwest feel and could ultimately come down to Ohio State or Michigan.

“Michigan is a unique school,” he said. “They’ve always been the best of the best, them and O-State. Coach Harbaugh, he’s straight forward, one-hundred percent. I’ve built a great relationship with coach (Steve Clinkscale), he’s like a father figure.”

Pulling Witten away from the Big Ten powers could prove difficult.

“It would be a challenge (to leave the Midwest),” Witten acknowledged. “I’m a momma’s boy. I’ve got to stay close to my mom and my brothers. My mom sat me down and told me to go wherever I need to go. But it would be a challenge for me to leave the Midwest.”

Witten added that he is looking at deciding in December and following the traditional Glenville path of taking his time with the process before making a commitment.