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TE Nick Vannett (National Champion, Tennessee Titans)

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High school football | Complete package: Vannett grabs passes, attention of recruiters
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
By Steve Blackledge
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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Nick Vannett of Westerville Central is solid on both offense and defense.
Ed Matthews | Dispatch

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Vannett, a tight end, has 34 receptions for 437 yards and four touchdowns this season.

Nick Vannett knew all about the quirks of college football recruiting, so he shouldn't have been so surprised when his fortunes turned as suddenly as an Ohio winter.

The Westerville Central tight end capped his junior season with 20 receptions for 240 yards and then moved straight into basketball season, uncertain of his future.

"Being my first year here, I got a little behind in preparing highlight films for recruiters," Central coach John Magistro said. "Nick hadn't gotten any offers yet, but after I sent the first batch out, Indiana offered right away. Then it was Bowling Green. Interest in him just spread like wildfire. Before long, he had offers from Tennessee, Virginia Tech and Oregon."

And, eventually Ohio State, much to Vannett's satisfaction. The 6-foot-6, 240-pounder will sign with OSU in February.

He opened the season rated as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com and as the 12 {+t}{+h}-best tight end in the nation by scout.com.

"Growing up, I was always a big Ohio State fan like everyone else in Columbus, but I can't say that I ever really imagined myself playing there," he said. "The sudden interest kind of caught me off-guard. Sure, I wanted to play somewhere, but I was thinking more along the lines of a smaller program."

Having fantasized about playing a role similar to that filled by Antonio Gates, Jason Witten and Tony Gonzalez on their NFL teams, Vannett originally was ambivalent about joining an Ohio State program that rarely throws to its tight ends.

"They told me they recruited me because of my pass-catching abilities, and in talking with Jake Stoneburner, he said coach (Jim) Tressel and his staff are committed to adapting to the personnel they have," Vannett said. "It's not like I don't enjoy blocking. My goal is to become the most complete tight end I can be. Like anybody, I just like being around the ball."

Although the Warhawks are mired in a disappointing 2-6 season, it's no fault of Vannett's. He has 34 receptions for 437 yards and four touchdowns. He also is an effective defensive end.
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http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2010/10/20/complete-package.html?sid=101
 
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Went to Westerville Central tonight for senior night and had a chance to see Vannett. Caught a 33 yard pass down the seam early in the first half. Caught a pass right before half and dinged his shoulder a little bit. Unfortunately had to leave at halftime. Big kid. Certainly looks the part. Was open quite a bit but the central quarterback couldn't find him. Almost not worth talking about his blocking with how much he dwarfed the Dublin team. Let Lichter work with him and he could be a contributor.
 
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SNP photo by Seth Shaner
Players who lettered last year for the Westerville Central boys basketball team include (from left): row one-Quentin Henderson; row two-Nick Vannett and Cody Kondas.
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Chemistry a strength for Westerville Central

Senior Nick Vannett (6-6), who will play football at Ohio State beginning next fall, will be a stalwart in the middle.

"Nick's going to be a force," Minney said. "He was a force last year."
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Some sour grapes here...

Virginia Tech Football Recruiting Guide for the class of 2011 (Part 4) - Gobbler Country

17a. Nick Vannett 6'6" 230 lbs. TE Westerville Central HS, Westerville, OH (STATUS: Committed to Ohio St.)- Speaking of Ohio State...Nick Vannett was a priority target for the Hokies at TE. Nick is ranked #192 in the nation and the #13 TE. He is from Ohio, so it may have been a little bit of a stretch to land him, but we've done more surprising (and yes in a good way) things. Nick is a heck of a blocker. His highlight tape is full of sit routes, in which he will just flare off of the line of scrimmage to the quarterback's side (depending on the rollout and the handedness of the QB) of the field and just sit, exactly like the route sounds and wait for the QB to find him if he makes his progressions all the way to the sit route which is usually his bailout option. At 6'6" he's a big target, but I feel like a lot of the hype surrounding Nick is based off of height and potential.

For instance, with contact in the open field, Nick falls quicker than a Pau Gasol flop-job. Maybe it's not that bad, maybe he's just clumsy. But it does look like he goes into contact looking to go down, sometimes initiating his own fall (which is distinguishable from just lowering your pad level). This is surprising considering his size and frame, especially for the high school game. Nick, just like Christian Reeves (17b., so read on) has played wide receiver in high school, and therefore has benefitted from route running. Nick has very good acceleration after the catch, which usually amounts in 5 yards of YAC (or yards after catch, which you'll take any day from a TE). He also cuts pretty well for a man his size.

In the end, Ohio State probably got the better tight end of the two because of the potential that Nick has. But to be honest, the difference between Christian Reeves (our tight end commit) and Nick Vannett was so little I couldn't tell you that I'd necessarily rather have Nick than Christian.
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Basketball dreamers to football standouts

Ohio State signees Nick Vannett, a tight end from Westerville Central, and wide receiver Devin Smith of Massillon were among the players introduced at a luncheon in the Hilton Easton yesterday to promote the 66th Ohio North-South Classic all-star game in Ohio Stadium on April 22.

Football has taken them places, but basketball was the first love for both and both still play it for their high school.

Five years ago, "I wanted to play basketball for Ohio State," Smith said. "It's kind of funny, because the first sport I played was football. I didn't play basketball until fourth grade, but when I did I fell in love with it. And I always used to watch Ohio State basketball and hoped one day I could play there, too.

"But football worked out more for me as the years went on, and I am going to take advantage of this opportunity."

Vannett had a similar tale.

"I kind of thought basketball would be my sport in middle school," he said. "Then this football thing started working out."

One sort of helped bring along the other, as far as he was concerned.

"I think basketball has helped with my footwork and my athleticism," Vannett said. "I think that helped with my football development, too."
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http://www.dispatch.com/live/conten...tes-pryor-will-return-as-starter.html?sid=101
 
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