Ohio State welcomed a surprise commitment to its 2016 class Friday afternoon when Gahanna (Lincoln) defensive end Jonathon Cooper committed to the Buckeyes.
The news was first reported by Rivals.com's Marc Givler:
Class of 2016 Gahanna (OH) Lincoln DE Jonathon Cooper has committed to #OhioState #Buckeyes
— Marc Givler (@MarcGivlerBG) November 14, 2014
Cooper held offers from Michigan State, Notre Dame and several other schools.
The Cooper File
- Class 2016
- Position DE
- Size 6-3/215
- School Lincoln (Gahanna, OH)
- Composite ★★★★
- Rank No. 13 (WDE)
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound end was long thought to be a future Buckeye with most experts calling Ohio State as his final destination, and indeed, he had an unofficial visit scheduled for later this month, but good news is always better sooner.
"I wanted to get it over with, to get rid of the stress," Cooper told Eleven Warriors shortly after committing. "The coaching staff was really excited, as am I."
Cooper becomes Ohio State's fourth commitment for 2015, all from the state of Ohio as the Buckeyes attempt to load up on what should be a great group of in-state talent. He joins four-star offensive lineman Tyler Gerald (Portsmouth), four-star running back George Hill (Hubbard) and three-star wide receiver Kierre Hawkins (Maple Heights).
Cooper is just the sixth Ohio State commitment from Gahanna Lincoln in the last 40 years and first since linebacker Don Davis in 1989. He's also well positioned to become the next Cie Grant:
Random note about new Ohio State commit Jonathon Cooper, he used to be in an a Capella group at his school.
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) November 14, 2014
Here's a look at his sophomore highlights:
