COLUMBUS, Ohio — Joe Burrow had never met Urban Meyer. They had only had a handful of casual conversations before Meyer, Ohio State’s football coach, called to offer Burrow a scholarship last spring.

Burrow is from Athens, the home of Ohio University, about 75 miles southeast of Columbus. Being offered a scholarship to Ohio U., let alone Ohio State, is considered a big deal there. But Burrow was special, perhaps the best quarterback in the state. As a senior this year, he led his high school to its first appearance in the state title game and was named Mr. Football in Ohio.

Meyer sold Burrow on his winning pedigree and his spread offense that has transformed quarterbacks into stars and has given most of them a shot at the N.F.L. He rattled off a list of names that included Heisman Trophy finalists and first-round picks. Tim Tebow. Chris Leak. Alex Smith. He could have mentioned his current star quarterback, Braxton Miller, too.

When Meyer finished, Burrow called his parents as a courtesy to let them know of his decision. He called Meyer back five minutes later to commit.