Days after missing out on the country's top-ranked 2015 running back, and as Ohio State star running back Ezekiel Elliott and the Buckeyes are working tirelessly to bring the Buckeyes their eighth national championship; Kareem Walker, the country's top-ranked 2016 running back, has committed to Ohio State.

Proud to announce that I will be furthering my education and football career at THE Ohio State University. #Buckeyes pic.twitter.com/xLnEwFJJak — AlightyReem (@_KareemWalker) January 13, 2015

Offered by everyone who's anyone, Walker committed to Urban Meyer and Ed Warinner early this afternoon, but wanted to wait until halftime of tonight's title tilt to announce his intentions. Alabama, Michigan, Clemson, Rutgers and others were considered by most to be the main factors in his recruitment. It was the Buckeyes ability to offer stability and consistency in their offensive game-plan, unparalleled success in recent years from the running back position combined with the program's upward trajectory, which seemed to make the most sense to Walker and his family.

The Walker File Class 2016

2016 Position RB

RB Size 6-1/210

6-1/210 School DePaul Catholic (Wayne, NJ)

DePaul Catholic (Wayne, NJ) Composite ★★★★★

★★★★★ Rank 1 (RB)

His commitment, the fifth in Ohio States's sure-to-be-highly-ranked 2016 haul, gives Urban Meyer and Warinner verbal commitments from two of the country's top four-ranked backs in next year's recruiting class. Hubbard Ohio's George Hill is currently the fourth-ranked tailback in the class: Ohio's Demario McCall, also thought by many to end up at Ohio State, is ranked as the third-ranked back in the class.

Walker is the second big-time future prospect to commit to Ohio State today. Florida 2017 cornerback Shaun Wade, the second-ranked player in the Sunshine State in 2017, surprised everyone early this afternoon with his own commitment.

Stick with us for more on Walker's commitment and what it means to the Buckeyes.