Toledo Blade
Article published Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Central's Sanzenbacher about to realize dream
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Dane Sanzenbacher is pretty much committed to playing football for Ohio State in 2007.
<center></center> It would appear to be a perfect marriage.<center></center> The only thing missing is Sanzenbacher's vow.<center></center> But that may come faster than you can say his last name.
<center></center> The Central Catholic star received a text message from Ohio State coach Jim Tressel last Friday night, a half-hour after concluding his workout for the Buckeyes' coaches in Columbus.<center></center> "Great job at camp today," Tressel wrote. "We have a scholarship offer for you. Take a good look at the Buckeyes. Go Bucks!"<center></center> Sanzenbacher couldn't believe what he was reading.<center></center> Adrenaline rushed through his body.<center></center> He doesn't remember ever being that excited.<center></center> The trip from Columbus to Toledo normally takes a little more than two hours. Sanzenbacher made it home much quicker - at least it seemed that way.<center></center> Even so, he wanted to wait another day or two before spreading the news of Tressel's offer.<center></center> He wanted to make sure it was true and that he wasn't dreaming.<center></center> That confirmation finally came Sunday afternoon when Sanzenbacher, a 5-11, 180-pound receiver/defensive back, called Tressel on the phone.<center></center> "I had the text message from coach Tressel offering me a scholarship, but I wanted to hear it from him directly," Sanzenbacher said yesterday. "He said there was no pressure to make a decision, but he wanted me to know that he had a scholarship waiting for me. He told me he hoped I'd seriously consider Ohio State."<center></center>
Only an act of God would probably keep Sanzenbacher, who will be a senior this fall, from giving an oral commitment to the Buckeyes.<center></center>
"I'm trying to think of any school that would be above Ohio State, and I can't come up with one," said Sanzenbacher, who also participated in the Nike camp at Ohio State in early May. "I've always been a huge Notre Dame fan, but I haven't heard much from them.<center></center>
"Obviously, being an Ohio guy, I've always wanted to play for Ohio State. And everybody in my family loves Ohio State. They are as fired up as I am about the news of me getting a scholarship offer. My mom and dad have called all of our relatives to tell them.<center></center>
"You can't beat Ohio State. You get to play in front of more than 100,000 people every game.<center></center>
"You get to play for a national championship every year. And you get to play Michigan every year. It's pretty mind-boggling."<center></center> A month ago, Sanzenbacher could count his scholarship offers on one hand. All four were from Mid-American Conference schools - Toledo, Ball State, Kent State and Ohio.<center></center> But then he was lucky enough to hook up with Ted Ginn Sr., whose 12-day bus tour of Midwest schools included more than 40 players.<center></center> Ginn, of course, is the father of Ohio State speedster Ted Ginn Jr., and the head coach at Glenville High School in Cleveland.<center></center> Sanzenbacher worked out for several schools at their respective camps and landed four more scholarship offers, including Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Iowa and Ohio State.<center></center> "The last week has really opened my eyes," he said. "I hardly had heard anything from Ohio State - I got a few letters and talked to a few coaches - but in just a couple of days, my whole life changed. I'm pretty lucky.<center></center> "Now that Ohio State has offered me, I'm sure things are going to pick up with other schools. I don't have a preference over playing offense or defense, but so far, all the schools are recruiting me as a receiver."<center></center> Sanzenbacher doesn't have blazing speed - he has been consistently clocked at 4.6 in the 40-yard dash - and he's not real big.<center></center> All he does is make plays.<center></center> Sanzenbacher made a bushel-full in leading the Irish to the Division II state championship last season, a 31-29 victory over Canfield.<center></center> He finished with a state record four catches for 140 yards and two touchdowns. He also intercepted a Hail Mary pass on the game's final play.<center></center> Sanzenbacher was baseball's equivalent of Reggie Jackson in the playoffs for the Irish, registering nine touchdowns and six interceptions in five games.<center></center> A first-team all-state pick, Sanzenbacher finished with 65 receptions for more than 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns. He added 60 tackles and 11 interceptions.<center></center> Sanzenbacher can't officially sign a binding letter of intent until February.<center></center> But don't worry Ohio State fans.<center></center> You're not likely to get jilted.
