But while the feeling of the Buckeyes became strong once he visited Ohio State in October and the offer gave him an opportunity to play there, the Buckeyes were a part of his life, without him fully realizing it, almost a decade earlier.
Rob Sims was a freshman offensive lineman at Ohio State in 2002 when the Buckeyes beat Miami in the Fiesta Bowl and won the BCS National Championship.
After he graduated from Ohio State, he was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in 2006 and spent four years with them before being traded to the Detroit Lions.
In 2009, Gee Scott Sr. owned an auto detailing business, his most notable clients being Seattle Seahawks players.
Scott Sr. and Sims connected immediately and became fast friends.
When Scott Sr. was at his lowest point, in 2009, Sims gave him a place to stay when Scott Sr. was living out of his car.
At that point, his boys were living with their mom.
But when it was time for them to visit dad, they had a place to go.
Every other weekend, when Scott Sr., had his two sons, they would stay in the room with their dad, in Sims' house.
Almost a decade ago, a former Buckeye star helped the Scott family, in ways the younger Scott didn't fully realize or understand, and the first seeds for Ohio State were planted.
As he blossomed as a player, Scott didn't think there was any opportunity to play at Ohio State.
The Buckeyes recruited around the country, but rarely ventured to the Pacific Northwest.
So he made the trip for the unofficial that would change his future, and tie him back to the program that produced a player, but more importantly to Scott and his family, a friend and a mentor, that gave them a second chance.
"Rob Sims saved my life," Gee Scott Sr. said. "Rob gave me a place to stay when I was living out of my car for a little bit. He saved my life. He gave me a room in his house and allowed my boys to come stay when I would get them every other weekend. I was battling depression and had given up on life."
That's why this commitment to the Buckeyes means more than just a chance to play in the Big Ten.
"This commitment is more than football," said Scott Sr.
Scott Sr. is now a local media personality in Seattle, one of the most renowned MC's and auctioneers, a radio host and the Seahawks Game Day personality.
He's instilled in his sons the importance of hard work, commitment and loyalty.
His son said once he commits, his word is bond.
"My father has always talked about loyalty and being loyal and when you give your word, you keep your word," said Scott. "I've always said that when I commit, that is the only commitment I'm giving. I'm never going to change it. My word is my word."
But for now, he'll continue to embrace the opportunity the Buckeyes gave him, but more importantly, the opportunity a Buckeye gave to his family.
