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.
It has been over a year since Jake Hausmann committed to Ohio State. And, since then, there has been no wavering from the Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller product. In a world where recruits constantly flip and change their minds, for Hausmann, it has always been about the Buckeyes.
A four-star prospect and the fourth-rated tight end in the 2016 class, Hausmann signed with Ohio State on Wednesday. He is part of a three tight-end group that also includes four-stars Luke Farrell and Kierre Hawkins.
The Hausmann File
- Class: 2016
- Size: 6-4/230
- Pos: TE
- School: Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati)
- Composite Rating: ★★★★
- Composite Rank: 3 (TE)
Recruiting for the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Hausmann really took off after his sophomore season at Moeller. He was offered a scholarship by Cincinnati — his first offer — in December of 2013. Indiana, Louisville and Virginia soon followed, but Hausmann's first big-time offer came April 25, 2014 when Ohio State came calling.
Hausmann waited for a while and picked up plenty more offers along the way — Florida State, Georgia and Notre Dame to name a few — and he visited South Bend a few times, but after his junior season at Moeller, Hausmann committed to the Buckeyes on Jan. 25, 2015.
He was a frequent visitor to Columbus from that point forward. Hausmann competed at The Opening's regional camp and — along with fellow Ohio State commits Jonathon Cooper, Austin Mack, Demario McCall — earned an invite to The Opening in Beaverton, Oregon in July.
Hausmann had a successful senior season at Moeller, but the team was hampered all year by injuries and missed the playoffs, finishing at 5-5. Despite the .500 record, though, Hausmann had an impressive season individually and earned an invitation to the Army All-American Bowl.
"Jake has a dedication to practice," Hausmann's high school coach, John Rodenberg told Eleven Warriors in November. "He is always concerned about perfection. He'll actually tell you how many balls he dropped in his three years on varsity. (It's a) relentless pursuit of perfection every day, and that's why everyone respects him."
Hausmann is one in this class who has the ability to come in and compete right away for playing time. Marcus Baugh will be Ohio State's starting tight end in 2016, but the backup position is anything but a sure thing at this point.
And if the Buckeyes need a complete player for that spot, Hausmann is that type of player.
"I think that right now, my strengths are being a complete tight end. I work hard and I think I have good technique," Hausmann said. "In my freshman and sophomore years, I struggled with getting a push off of the line, but in the past two years I've worked really hard in the weight room to adjust that.
"I need to continue working on it though because it will only keep getting harder from here."
