It is often the case that when a recruit is among the best in the nation, all anyone cares about is his on-field performance. Ohio is loaded with elite talent in 2016, but one player is doing more for his team than anyone.
That player, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound running back, instills a winning attitude in the people around him. That player is North Ridgeville standout DeMario McCall.
The early part of the season has been kind to McCall; in two games, he has rushed for 488 yards and 10 touchdowns. Before the season, I asked McCall what his personal goals for the season were, and he replied, "2,000 yards rushing and 40+ touchdowns." Given the hot start, the lofty goal seems within reach.
Besides his on-field performance, coaches have taken notice of the person McCall has become off the field. "DeMario is one of the fiercest competitors I have ever been around, but he does it in such a humble manner," North Ridgeville's head coach Luke Durbin told Eleven Warriors. "He is one of the most coachable guys on the team. He is well liked by his peers and teachers, just truly an outstanding young man. He is a coach's dream."
Bowling Green, Michigan State, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, Tennessee and West Virginia have all extended scholarship offers to McCall, who says it's a blessing to have so many opportunities to play at the next level. He is also excited to see what other offers come his way, now that he has the big offer from the hometown team.
"Growing up in Ohio and being an Ohio kid, you almost have to love Ohio State," McCall told Eleven Warriors. "I don't only like them because they are the state school, I really love everything about it. The coaching staff is amazing and the campus is beautiful. I also believe the offense really suits my abilities."
One of McCall's biggest concerns is where coaching staffs want him on offense and how the offense runs. Given his size and speed, it's a virtual guarantee Ohio State coaches are recruiting him to play the H-back position.
McCall mentioned OSU and Auburn as two offenses he would like to play for, but he had questions about Texas A&M's offense.
Growing up in Ohio and being an Ohio kid, you almost have to love Ohio State.
"If Texas A&M is recruiting me as a running back, but they throw a lot, how many touches am I actually going to get?" McCall asked. "The offense and the position they are recruiting me at is important to me."
McCall was last on campus for Friday Night Lights in July. "Friday Night Lights was awesome!" McCall said about the camp. "The competition was the best of the best and that always brings out the best in me. I always want to step my game up when I am playing against the best. Overall, the camp and experience were lots of fun."
While McCall was supposed to visit Columbus past weekend, he was unable to do so. He said he will definitely be at an Ohio State game this fall, but he does not know which game it will be. He also hopes to swing down south for a couple of games, most likely attending the LSU-Auburn game.
McCall is going to try and see the schools that have offered him, while also hoping to check out schools that are close to offering. In the meantime, the Buckeyes are a strong contender for McCall in 2016.
