The future stars of Ohio State football officially begin their Buckeye careers as standouts from all over the country put pens to their National Letters of Intent.
Whenever he was offered by the Buckeyes it was expected that Luke Farrell's recruitment would be a short one. After all, Farrell was an Ohio kid with family ties to the Ohio State and he never hid his own affinity for the school and the football program.
The Farrell File
- Class 2016
- Position TE
- Size 6-6/240
- School Perry (Perry, OH)
- Composite ★★★★
- Rank 7 (TE)
"I actually got to talk to coach Meyer on the phone," Farrell said in May of 2014. "He said he likes my film and is excited to see me at camp."
Just over three weeks later, after the camp Meyer was excited to see Farrell perform at, the Buckeyes came through and offered the 6-foot-6, 240 pounder. He did not commit, citing a need to make sure that he fully explored all of his options, which were growing. Michigan, Penn State, Michigan State, Oregon, Duke and a host of others came to Northeast Ohio in the hopes of finding a way to lure Farrell away from Ohio.
The country's seventh-ranked tight end visited Columbus multiple times, and also made a trip Michigan State in last November.
"Both of the visits were great," Farrell said. "Both visits, coach [Urban] Meyer came to talk to us individually which was really cool. It was cool talking to him and him coming to talk to us. Also, I got to talk to coach [Tim] Hinton a lot on the visits which was really cool."
The Buckeyes weren't trying to press him for a decision, and Farrell was in no hurry to make one.
"I don't have a timeline for a choice," Farrell told 11W. "I probably won't be doing much recruiting stuff in the spring. I'll just focus on lifting and doing football workouts."
As the spring rolled around though, it became more and more evident that Farrell was closing in on a decision.
In March, he'd narrowed his school list to four: Ohio State, Penn State, Boston College and Michigan State and it seemed a choice could be made at any time. In May, Farrell told 11W that he wanted to make a decision before the start of his senior season.
"Coach (Tim) Hinton was here two weeks ago," he said. "My top four are all pretty close. I feel comfortable with Ohio State, Michigan State, Boston College and Penn State. I'm visiting Michigan State in June and then I want to make my decision before the season."
An offer from Notre Dame in early June was followed quickly by a return to East Lansing and a trip to South Bend. Some believed that Farrell may have a higher-than-anticipated interest in the Fighting Irish and the Spartans, while others just believed that maybe the Buckeyes were looking at another option at tight end.
None of that was accurate. In July, prior to the start of Friday Night Lights at Ohio State, Farrell met with Urban Meyer at midfield of Ohio Stadium and informed the Buckeyes' head coach that he was a Buckeye.
I am proud to announce that I am committed to THE Ohio State University to continue my academic and athletic career pic.twitter.com/HkTc02MGjr
— Luke Farrell (@LukeFarrell88) July 24, 2015
The pledge added Farrell to an already talented pair of potential Buckeye tight ends. He had no qualms with committing even though Jake Hausmann and Kierre Hawkins were already in the class.
I've gotten to know Jake throughout the recruiting process from seeing him at different visits. After I committed at FNL we got to talk a lot more and we get along well. Having him committed there didn't make me reconsider...We want to make Ohio State "Tight End U."
Farrell's commitment will give the Buckeyes another talented option at tight end to follow in the footsteps of Jeff Heuerman and Nick Vannett.
"I've been told I'm a similar type of tight end as Nick Vannett. I'd like to have the ability he has; to be an all-around tight end. He does well in the blocking game along with being athletic and running good routes," he said. "I am very happy to be a Buckeye. I'm going to continue to work throughout the season and after to keep improving as a tight end and as a student. I can't wait to be out there in The 'Shoe with all that support from Buckeye Nation."
