Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights, Benedictine and University School players sign national letters of intent
Published: Thursday, February 09, 2012
Brian Lavrich, Sun News
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS--When it came down to it, Cleveland Heights offensive lineman Kyle Dodson said he?s an ?Ohio boy? and that?s why he chose Ohio State over Wisconsin, which he previously committed to, Michigan State, USC and Auburn.
?It was really hard,? Dodson said. ?I didn?t want to do it this way, but I still have that love for Ohio State. I?m an Ohio boy.?
He meant waiting until signing day to make his final decision.
The large crowd at Cleveland Heights High School, which included Cleveland Heights mayor Ed Kelley and former Ohio State player Bam Childress, loudly cheered when Dodson said he chose Ohio State. Childress played for Cleveland Heights coach Jeff Rotsky at St. Peter Chanel.
Dodson (6-foot-6, 310 pounds) said Ohio State having new coach Urban Meyer on board obviously influenced his decision.
?When he looked me in the eye and told me how much love he had for me, that had a great deal to do with it,? Dodson said.
Dodson admitted that part of the reason he changed his mind from the Badgers to the Buckeyes was Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst leaving to become head coach at Pittsburgh. Chryst took most of the former Badger offensive coaches with him to Pittsburgh.
?That played a great role,? Dodson said. ?I had a great relationship with those coaches.?
Dodson was also attracted to Ohio State as he?ll have the chance to play against three of the top defensive line recruits in the nation as the Buckeyes loaded up on that position in recruiting.
?I love being able to go up against some of the best defensive linemen in the nation,? Dodson said. ?I want to go up against them and get better.?
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