Billy Price said he doesn’t pay much attention to rankings by the various recruiting services, but he was aware of them enough to know that when he committed to Ohio State’s 2013 class yesterday it would be seen as a major moment.

“The ratings mean nothing to me particularly,” said the two-way lineman from Austintown, Ohio. “But I do know that having the top three players from the state of Ohio committed and staying in state to play for the Ohio State University — I believe the 2013 class is going to be rolling.”

Price, of Austintown Fitch, is rated No. 3 in the state by recruiting analyst Bill Kurelic of Bucknuts, who has cornerback Cam Burrows of Trotwood-Madison No. 1 and quarterback/athlete Jalin Marshall of Middletown No. 2. Burrows was the first to commit to Ohio State for 2013, in January, and Marshall followed on Jan. 30.

Then came Price yesterday, “and it’s still February 2012,” Kurelic said. “This is a huge start for (coach) Urban Meyer and his staff, and maybe shows you what’s about to come.”

At 6 feet 4 and 280 pounds, Price is projected as a defensive lineman in college, though Kurelic pointed out he has the ability and the tenacity to play on offense or defense.

Rivals.com has Burrows and Marshall rated Nos. 1 and 2, respectively, in the state, also, while it has Price at No. 7. Price had received at least 10 scholarship offers, including from Nebraska and Notre Dame.

“I was just really comfortable with Ohio State,” Price said. “The academics are really strong, and my family is very comfortable with coach Meyer and his staff. I got all the questions I had about Ohio State answered, and it was finally time.”

He thinks he, Burrows and Marshall are part of another run of Ohio State recruiting success that will play out over the next few months.

“Hopefully, we’re going to pick up a lot more Ohio guys, since Ohio is the priority,” Price said. “I’m talking about guys like Taco Charlton (defensive end from Pickerington Central), Jake Butt (tight end from Pickerington North), Courtney Love (linebacker from Youngstown Mooney) and Mitch Trubisky (quarterback from Mentor) — all these guys could have an impact for the 2013 class.

“With us already having the top three guys, I think people are going to jump on board.”

Clarke pleads guilty

Former Ohio State cornerback Dominic Clarke pleaded guilty yesterday to operating a vehicle while impaired.

Clarke, 20, was stopped on Jan. 7 by Ohio State police for running a stop sign and for driving 35 mph in a 20 mph zone on W. 12th Avenue near Neil Avenue. Clarke was dismissed from the team a few days later.

Franklin County Municipal Court Judge Andrea C. Peeples suspended Clarke’s license for six months, placed him on probation for two years, fined him $375 and ordered him to attend an intervention program.

Clarke pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct after firing a BB or paintball gun at an on-campus restaurant in October. He was ticketed last February for driving 51 mph in a 25 mph zone on Woody Hayes Drive.

Dispatch reporter Jeb Phillips contributed to this story.

tmay@dispatch.com