''It is a pretty good feeling knowing that my level of intensity and work ethic is paying off,'' said McMullen, who is 6-foot-5 and 253 pounds. ''It is obviously great for a high school kid like myself, but at the same time I worry more about my junior year. I have two more years of high school.''
McMullen said his top five schools right now are Ohio State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, West Virginia and Alabama.
''Being an Ohio boy, OSU is our school,'' McMullen said. ''It is our prized possession.''
He also mentioned he has family in West Virginia, an uncle who played for Alabama and the strong link Hoban has to Notre Dame.
''Getting the letters in the mail, it sort of makes me happy . . . but as easy as it comes, it could easily be taken away,'' McMullen said. ''I am just staying humble about it. I am more focused on this season.''
McMullen describes his style of play as that of a ''power rusher.''