Homan hopes to sign more than autographs for fans
OSU linebacker projected as a 4th-round NFL draft choice, but bargaining agreement comes first.
By Greg Billing, Staff Writer
Updated Sunday, February 6, 2011
Russ Marsh of Lexington, KY (left) drove to the Miami Valley to see Ohio State University linebacker Ross Homan during an autograph session for fans at Cardboard Heroes in the Dayton Mall on Sunday.
Staff photo by Lisa Powell
MIAMI TWP., Montgomery Conty ? Pittsburgh Steelers merchandise was outselling the Green Bay Packers by a closer than expected two-to-one margin at Cardboard Heroes in the Dayton Mall on Sunday.
Neither, though, was the biggest draw this Super Bowl Sunday.
Ohio State University linebacker Ross Homan ? a 2006 graduate of Coldwater High School ? stopped by in the afternoon to sign autographs, pose for photos and greet Buckeyes fans during a two-hour session.
?It?s pretty crazy. You go anywhere ... just like last week I was at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, and you?d be surprised just how many Ohio State fans are in Mobile. The fan base is definitely nationwide,? said Homan, who had three tackles in the North?s 24-10 loss to the South on Jan. 29.
On Sunday the 6-foot, 227-pound linebacker was back in Big Ten Country signing the obligatory merchandise ? Ohio State helmets, footballs, hats, jerseys and magazines ? and looking right at home in his red Under Armour pullover and jeans wrapping his arms around fans while posing for photos and flashing his easy-going smile.
One couple drove a little over two hours from Lexington, Ky., to add Homan?s autograph to their football shrine of 200 signatures.
So what?s the most unusual thing he?s ever been asked to autograph?
?I?ve signed some baby clothes, that?s probably the strangest thing,? Homan said. ?It hasn?t been too strange yet.?
The item Homan wants placed in front of him most is an NFL contract. Early predictions from draft web sites have the three-year starter at Ohio State and first-team Big Ten selection as a fourth rounder. Cousin Bobby Hoying, a quarterback at Ohio State, was a third-round selection (85th overall) by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1996.
?I have no idea. I don?t think anyone really knows,? said Homan, who finished his OSU career with 288 career tackles, including nine in the Sugar Bowl win over Arkansas. ?That?s just how the draft is. I?m just going to keep working hard and control what I can control. I don?t really get into the blogs or the mock drafts. I just focus on my training and go from there.?
Cont...