TE Nick Vannett (National Champion, Tennessee Titans)

[Buckskin86]

Central contingent taking talents to next level
By SETH SHANER
Published: Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Though delayed by a day, the Westerville Central athletic department put together a ceremony Thursday, Feb. 3, its honorees are likely to remember long after they leave Central's campus.

National signing day was Wednesday, Feb. 2, and while weather moved it back a day, six Warhawks ceremonially signed on the dotted line in front of friends, family and teammates in the school's auditorium.

Among the signees was Nick Vannett, who was only one of two local players to be recruited by Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel.

Vannett verbally committed last summer, and will play tight end at OSU.

"I'm going to stay in the weight room and keep training and working hard," he said. "I'll work on all areas of my game to have a good chance of seeing some early playing time."

Vannett joins another tight end recruit, Jeff Heuerman of Naples, Fla., in the class.

"I'm really excited about the class," Vannett said. "I think we have a legit chance to compete for a national title. I think (the other recruits) are all great guys, they're really friendly and I'm excited to be teammates with them."

The Buckeyes feature just two regular tight ends in Jake Stoneburner and Reid Fragel, so playing time could come early for Vannett and-or Heuerman.

"I just have to go in and compete in practice and work hard," Vannett explained. "Hopefully I'll have a chance to see some playing time. If not, there's always next year and I'll always work hard."

An Ohio State press release characterized Vannett as a, "tremendous receiver-blocker."

Vannett caught 47 passes for 606 yards during his senior campaign, hauling in eight touchdowns.

Vannett is leaning toward studying business in college and joins punter-kicker Ben Buchanan as former Central alums on OSU's football team.

"You're not going to find anywhere else (like Ohio State)," Vannett said. "The fans and the tradition make it an all-around great place. I couldn't have picked a better school."

http://www.snponline.com/articles/2011/02/08/multiple_papers/sports/allwecentr_20110208_1029am_8.txt

 

[wadc45]

http://www.dispatch.com/live/conten...westerville-central-surprises-ua.html?sid=101

Shari Lewis | Dispatch
Nick Vannett of Westerville Central shoots over a Upper Arlington defender in the Warhawks' 59-56 win.

 

[Buckskin86]

http://photo.the-ozone.net/details....Number=1&ReturnRowCount=12&ReturnPageNumber=1

"Going to spring practice, I wish I could jump in the drills a little bit," Vannett said, "but it'll all work out though. I just wanted to graduate on time and enjoy my senior year and get to play in all-star games like this."

http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/2011/04/incoming_buckeyes_get_a_chance.html

Westerville Central tight end Nick Vannett is the lone future Buckeyes recruit on the South squad. He'll be playing in Ohio Stadium for the first time.

"I know it won't be the same size crowd we'll have for Ohio State games, but it should give me a little bit of a feel of what it's going to be like," Vannett said.

Prepping for practice next to him yesterday was Austin Traylor, a defensive end from Walnut Ridge who is bound for Wisconsin.

"This gives me an early game on O-State's field, because we come here this season," Traylor said, referring to the Badgers' game on Oct.29 in Ohio Stadium. "So I get to test it out."

For another few days, though, he will be teammates with Vannett, against whom he has played amateur basketball for several years.

"So we'll go against each other in football the next four years or so; it's all friendly competition," Traylor said.

Vannett nodded in agreement, but with an addendum.

"We can still be friends outside the stadium," Vannett said. "But once we step inside the stadium, we're going to be enemies the next four years. We're all going for one goal, which is to win."

http://www.dispatch.com/live/conten...tars-get-dress-rehearsal-in-shoe.html?sid=101

Not Moving on to New School starting to be Old School
By Brandon Castel

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Twelve members of Ohio State’s 2011 recruiting class will play in Ohio Stadium this weekend, but only seven of them will be wearing Scarlet and Gray.

The other five will be lining up on opposite sides of the North-South All-Star Classic, which will be played Friday night before the Buckeyes take the field for their annual spring game on Saturday.

Being a part of the Friday preview before Saturday’s main event might seem like a drag for players like Nick Vannett, who have dreamt all their life of playing in the Horseshoe, but the Westerville Central product is at peace with his decision not to enroll early this spring.

“I just wanted to graduate on time and enjoy my senior year and get to play in all-star games like this,” said Vannett, who will play tight end for the South squad on Friday.

Cont...

http://www.the-ozone.net/football/2011/NorthSouth/VanettOldSchool.html

 

[Buckskin86]

http://photo.the-ozone.net/details....umber=41&ReturnRowCount=12&ReturnPageNumber=4

ON TE NICK VANNETT?

Vannett admitted after the game that Bryant got the better of him a couple times, but that doesn?t mean he was shutout. The Westerville Central product hauled in a 16-yard catch early in the second half and then made a great play to come up with a ball in the end zone for a two-point conversion.

?I had like five guys around me, so I don?t know how I caught it but I did,? said the 6-6, 240-pound tight end.

?I just concentrated on the ball and brought it in.?

Vannett also did a lot of blocking Friday, and said he was often involved in the double-team on Steve Miller.

Analysis: Vannett said that his blocking needs some work, but that?s not why he?s being brought to Ohio State. Everyone who plays tight end for the Buckeyes needs to know how to block, but it?s clear that Vannett has the hands and speed to be a weapon in the passing game. He believes the Buckeyes will get the tight ends more involved this year, and that could open the door for someone like Vannett or Jeff Heuerman to get on the field, especially if they start splitting Jake Stoneburner out wide more often.

http://www.the-ozone.net/football/2011/NorthSouth/postgamethoughts.htm

 

[Buckskin86]

"He's one of the reasons I went to Ohio State. He's one of those father figures," said incoming Ohio State tight end Nick Vannett of Westerville, Ohio.

"A lot of reporters are saying it's going to be a tough season with [quarterback] Terrelle Pryor out and the five suspensions," Vannett said, referring to five players caught up in the tattoo-for-memorabilia scandal.

"But, truthfully, I think it's bringing the team together as a unit, and we're all going to come together as one and just do it for ourselves and Coach Tressel and Ohio State," he continued. "But [interim coach] Luke Fickell, I'm excited for him. He's going to come in and clean it all up."

Vannett and the others know their team will be scrutinized, beginning this season and for years to come, but they are not deterred.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/124055119.html#ixzz1PX3DzT9I

 

[Buckeye1]

enough said, let's roll!

Quote:
"He's one of the reasons I went to Ohio State. He's one of those father figures," said incoming Ohio State tight end Nick Vannett of Westerville, Ohio.
Quote:
"A lot of reporters are saying it's going to be a tough season with [quarterback] Terrelle Pryor out and the five suspensions," Vannett said, referring to five players caught up in the tattoo-for-memorabilia scandal.

"But, truthfully, I think it's bringing the team together as a unit, and we're all going to come together as one and just do it for ourselves and Coach Tressel and Ohio State," he continued. "But [interim coach] Luke Fickell, I'm excited for him. He's going to come in and clean it all up."

Vannett and the others know their team will be scrutinized, beginning this season and for years to come, but they are not deterred.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/124055119.html#ixzz1PX3DzT9I

 

[TresselstillownsTSUN]

Senior highlights.....

Stud.

http://scoutingohio.com/index.php/view-profile.html?task=userProfile&user=3236&srid=8291

 

[RB07OSU]

I was fortunate enough to report on the Big 33 game and from what I saw, Vannett can really be something special here. You can tell he has exceptional hands and he can really go up and get it, but he moves so well when you see him in person. He may not play this year but once he adds some muscle and can hold his own in the trenches, he will be a stud...he has the tenacity and leverage, he just needs the strength to back it up.

 

[BB73]

Nick said that he's learning from Jake Stoneburner, and that incoming receivers Evan Spencer and Devin Smith both are looking good.

Ozone.video

edit - whaddyaknow, bumping 20 player threads finally got that yahoo thread off the front page!

 

[Bestbuck36]

SMH.

Page 15 and no one is talking about him after the spring game? Kid is an absolute stud. With him and Stoney on the field at the same time, the WR's have an easy job.


I was very impressed with Nick on Saturday. The QB's seem to be very confident in Nick and he produced in his time on the field.

I can't wait for this season.

 

[southcampus]

I liked what I saw from Nick as well. Offensively, we have a wealth of talent at TE and RB IMO.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

He did have a drop I think...but he also make a catch on a ball that carromed off a DB who should've made the interception.

 

[Buckskin86]

 

[MD Buckeye]

 

[Buckskin86]