Dream come true: Glenville's Bryce West and Damarion Witten discuss commitment to Ohio State

The Glenville duo is excited to stay in-state to play for the Buckeyes

Glenville cornerback Bryce West (left) and tight end Damarion Witten (right) have both committed to play for the Ohio State Buckeyes. (Photo: Ryan Isley) / Ryan Isley, SBLive Sports

For some high school football players, dreams do come true.

That is the case for Glenville cornerback Bryce West and tight end Damarion Witten, as the pair of four-star recruits both announced recently their commitment to play football at The Ohio State University.

The two talked about their commitment on Tuesday as Glenville was participating in the inaugural Deshaun Watson Foundation 7-on-7 Tournament at Archbishop Hoban High School.

West, who is the No. 3 overall player in the Class of 2024 in Ohio and the No. 14 cornerback in the country according to the 247Sports rankings, felt like he was destined to be a Buckeye because of the number of players Glenville head coach Ted Ginn, Sr has sent to Ohio State. Since 2002, more than 20 Tarblooders have gone on to play at Ohio State, including Troy Smith, Donte Whitner, Ted Ginn, Jr, Cardale Jones and Marshon Lattimore. 

"I already knew I was going to be an Ohio State type kid because of the pipeline," West said. "All of the kids who have gone through there have been successful and became first round draft picks or have gotten drafted in general. Coach G is known for sending kids to Ohio State so I (want) to take it to the fullest and go ball out."

For Witten, the No. 9 overall player in Ohio and the No. 13 tight end nationally, committing to Ohio State was a lifetime in the making.

"Ohio State was my dream school since I was a kid," Witten said. "I have been dreaming about this since the first time I ever saw Ohio State. Them giving me a chance, it’s a life-changing opportunity."

The pair helped lead Glenville to its first state title last year, as the Tarblooders defeated Wyoming 26-6 in the Division IV state championship game.

Witten, the 6-foot-4, 215-pound tight end, was named the MVP of the Deshaun Watson 7-on-7 Tournament on Tuesday, making touchdown receptions in almost each of the Tarblooders' seven games, with some of them being highlight-worthy.

OT TD for @DamarionW1_ of @TarblooderFB pic.twitter.com/f2mLuFx9UV

— Ryan (@Isley23) July 11, 2023

Highlight catches are nothing new for Witten, as among his three catches in the 2022 state championship game was a 34-yard touchdown in which he went up over the defensive back on the sideline to make the catch.

.@Devnta1 to @DamarionWitten1 for a @TarblooderFB TD. Just look at the hands.

Glenville leads Wyoming 6-0 with 10:00 left 1Q pic.twitter.com/JwsZtLoxzE

— Ryan (@Isley23) December 4, 2022

As for the day they got their offers from Ohio State, West said it was special because the offer came straight from Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day and it also happened while West's parents were there.

"It was a joy because coach Day offered me on the spot when he came to see me," West said. "He offered me in front of my parents and it was one of the happiest moments because not too many kids can say they got an Ohio State offer."

Witten said the moment he got his offer was an emotional one because of his dream to play at Ohio State and also because of how close Columbus is to home. 

"My whole body got so happy because I have been dreaming of it," Witten said. "Me being an Ohio kid, and it being two hours down the road, that played a big part too because my family can come to my games and watch me ball out."