Relationships carry weight in recruiting Neville
HOUSTON – The Buckeyes have already made a big impression on class of 2021 wide receiver Latrell Neville as being one of the first, if not the first, school in on him before he blew up as a recruit. Now, the 6-foot-4 receiver has more than 30 offers, but the Buckeyes will hold a place near and dear to him for being there first.
It also does not hurt having a family member who is 100-percent behind the Buckeyes in your corner celebrating the moment that Ohio State gets involved with an offer.
"I have been watching Ohio State for a long time," Neville said. "My great-uncle is a big Ohio State fan and once I got the offer from Ohio State, that was like his birthday or something. He was filled with joy."
If the last name sounds familiar, you would be right. Latrell's grandfather is the soul vocalist, Aaron Neville. It is definitely one way of breaking the ice in a crowded room with such a famous relation.
Latrell is just trying to be the best player that he can be right now and proves that on the field with his willingness to work and do anything that is asked of him.
"In my opinion I am a real versatile player," Neville said. "I play in the slot, outside and in the backfield. I will return kicks and punts and really a bit of everything to help my team this year. I even played on the defensive side of the ball this year. In my opinion I can do anything."
Neville is close with current Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson who went to Austin (Texas) Westlake high school. The two talk often about Ohio State and Wilson has been doing the best that he can to get in Neville's ear about everything that is great about the Ohio State program.
Neville has tried to make it up to the Ohio State campus on several other occasions only to have those plans fall through late in the game. He is determined to get up to campus in mid-June to check things out himself.
What does he hope to find out for himself?
"Really hoping to see if it is what Garrett seems to make it to be," Neville said. "He tells me it is a wonderful place and good people and just feels like home. I feel as if a ballplayer you should be able to go anywhere and ball, no matter the weather and stuff like that."
Neville is originally from New Orleans and made his way to Houston during the ravages of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Louisiana State is a school that will battle the Buckeyes for the commitment of this 2021 star along with Oklahoma and others. Ohio State, LSU and Oklahoma seem to have the best relationships formed with Neville at this point, something that will be critical in the process.
What this means as well is that Neville is not tied to the state of Texas in terms of geography and going away for school. He admitted that he would be fine anywhere that he decides is his home for his college years.
Ultimately, relationships with Brian Hartline and Keenan Bailey are putting the Buckeyes at the top tier of Neville's list of schools and the Buckeyes continue to stay in a good place as Neville is getting closer with Ryan Day and Kevin Wilson as well.
Don't look for a quick decision from this 2021 star, however. He plans to commit in September of 2020, on the 15th to be exact, the birthday of his late father.
