For a few months, Ohio State fell out of touch with four-star Ohio offensive lineman Will Conroy.
The 6-foot-3, 275-pound prospect released a top schools list over the summer that didn’t include the Buckeyes and it seemed for a moment both parties could go in separate directions despite Conroy picking up an OSU offer in the spring and growing up an OSU fan.
However, the Buckeyes and Conroy have re-engaged their relationship since August, with offensive line coach Justin Frye making it a point to speak with Conroy between four and five times per week.
“It’s definitely good to be back in contact with them,” Conroy told Eleven Warriors. “It was just a little bump in the road, but it’s getting better every day. ”
Conroy made his first visit to Columbus since the spring game for the Iowa contest earlier this month, an experience that went a long way in moving the needle with Conroy.
“It was definitely a good visit for sure,” Conroy said. “I went to the spring game and I could see the unit coming together and building chemistry for sure. Iowa is by no means an easy task for any team and they handled it pretty well. The atmosphere in The Shoe is always great no matter who they play.”
While OSU players warmed up, Conroy had the opportunity to pick Frye’s brain about what he was going to see on the field from the Buckeyes’ offensive linemen.
“We talked about where I fit in in the scheme of the offense,” Conroy said. “I’m obviously going to play in the interior. But we also talked about what they were going to try and do against Iowa because I talked to him before the game and I had to leave a little early, but they talked about their gameplan and how they were going to do it. It worked.”
Following the visit, Conroy feels more comfortable in his relationship with the Buckeyes.
“The visit went great, but right now I’m focusing on ball,” he said. “Just trying to focus on my season and what I need to do to get better every week. But it definitely improved after the visit for sure. I’m just focusing on football right now and I’m not planning on committing any time soon during the season. But (the relationship is) definitely better for sure.”
Conroy says he’s focusing on cleaning up his footwork and technique the most. The standout in-state lineman has played tackle and guard for St. Ignatius this year, but he’ll be an interior lineman in college. Specifically, center may be his best spot going forward.
Great piece of blocking by @Wconroy57 at the second level on Ohio State commit Eli Lee for a nice gain. pic.twitter.com/mO5eyhV98d
— Matt Lofgren (@MattLofgren1) September 21, 2024
“What I see for the future, like my senior year and in college, I plan on playing center,” Conroy said.
Other schools sticking out to Conroy in his recruitment include Oklahoma, Missouri, USC, Florida, Miami and Michigan.
“My mom always says if football gets taken away, could you be there for four years and are you comfortable? And also the developmental aspect because I don’t want college to be my last step for football,” Conroy said about the biggest factors in his recruitment. “I don’t think anybody that goes to this level does. So I want to be developed to be the best that I can and go to the NFL.”
That said, Ohio State has plenty of appeal for the Cleveland product.
“They win games, they dominate, and when you hear Ohio State, you know it’s not going to be an easy game,” Conroy said of the most appealing thing about OSU. “Even when they’re down, they’re still winning high-level bowl games. I think with the new 12-team playoff, even the teams that were down in the past would have made the College Football Playoff. So they’re always up at the top and winning.”
