Last July, Jacksonville (Ill.) offensive tackle Gabe Megginson made the near 430 miles drive to Ohio State to participate in the Buckeyes' Friday Night Lights camp. Megginson had hoped that a standout performance in front of Ohio State's coaching staff would be enough to earn him a scholarship offer from the Buckeyes, and tonight that decision paid off with a call from the Buckeyes' Chris Ash.
"It was Chris Ash who made the offer, he's the recruiter for Illinois," Meggison said of the Buckeyes' new defensive coordinator. "He's a great man. He's very kind and I enjoy talking with him but I haven't got to know him much yet. He said I've improved tremendously and that I have an offer from the university. He said he can't wait to get me out there."
Gabe Megginson (No. 72) and his brother, Dylan.
While he's not entirely familiar with the staff, Megginson did get a good look at the way Ohio State's staff handles their business on the field thanks to the FNL visit.
"(Last summer) I got to see some of the facilities when I went to the camp," he said of his prior visit to Ohio State. "I got to see the intensity and the knowledge of the coaches at that time. I am looking forward to getting back to Columbus and getting to know the whole staff better."
At 6-foot-5 and 280-pounds, Megginson has played offensive tackle since his freshmen year in high school, and that appears to be where the Buckeyes see him in their offense. They're not alone; Michigan State, Wisconsin, Penn State, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and others have recently offered the talented lineman who holds a 3.0 GPA.
As with a number of Illinois natives, Megginson is active with the Core 6 training group that sent Dylan Thompson and Jamarco Jones to Ohio State in their 2014 class, although he's not entirely familiar with the two future Buckeyes, he hopes to talk to them soon about their Buckeye experiences.
"I haven't been able to talk with (Thompson and Jones) yet, but hopefully I will be able to shortly. I'd like to make a decision by the end of May and while I don't have a set in stone plan for visiting Ohio State I know I will get back there soon. I don't have a top list right now, but I'll be working to narrow things down soon."
