Tommy Schutt switches to Ohio State

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Defensive tackle and ESPNU 150 recruit Tommy Schutt decommitted from Penn State and opted instead for Ohio State on Monday, according to Glenbard West High School (Ill.) coach Chad Hetlet.

Schutt was Penn State's top-ranked Class of 2012 recruit. He changed his commitment after visiting Ohio State over the weekend.

"I think he's extremely happy," Hetlet said. "He came back yesterday from his trip to Ohio State, and he was very impressed with coach Urban Meyer and what his vision was for the program and where he sees Tommy fitting in."

Hetlet said Schutt notified Penn State co-defensive coordinator Larry Johnson of his decision on Monday morning. Johnson had recruited Schutt.

"As far as the environment for Tommy, he had to make a move," Hetlet said. "Coach Johnson was disappointed, but he's a professional and a good man."

Schutt, who is 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds, had 14 sacks, 19 tackles for loss, 19 batted balls and one interception this season for Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn, Ill.

He was the ESPNChicago.com Defensive Player of the Year.

Schutt endured a number of trials during his recruitment. He was ready to commit to Notre Dame this summer, but on the day he was going to verbal he had his offer rescinded because the Irish completed their class. He had been committed to Penn State since August.

"I think he handled it like a champion," Hetlet said. "A lot of different things -- how they went down -- just dealing with a big recruitment from the time he was a sophomore really was a lot on the young man. To go through the recruiting process, what the game is today, college recruiting is bizarre. Nothing is what it seems to be sometimes. I'm just glad he's landed where he's really, really happy."

Schutt is the second ESPNU 150 recruit Penn State has lost in the past two months. Offensive lineman Joey O'Connor, who is ranked 105th, decommitted on Nov. 10.

Ohio State now has 17 recruits in the Class of 2012.

Scott Powers covers high school and college sports for ESPNChicago.com and can be reached at spowers@espnchicago.com.

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Scott Powers is a general reporter for ESPNChicago.com. He is an award-winning journalist and has been reporting on preps, colleges and pros for publications throughout the Midwest since 1997.