Ohio State commit Jaelen Gill, a five-star running back from Westerville South, agreed to give Eleven Warriors exclusive access into his senior season with the Wildcats.
He joined us every week with a notebook entry sharing everything from his thoughts on his play to who he was recruiting on behalf of the Buckeyes.
Gill's final entry comes a little over a weeek after he played his last game with the Wildcats, a tough 35-7 loss to Olentangy Orange. The team finished with a 4-6 record, and just barely missed the playoffs.
Last week was Senior Night for Westerville South.
I had so many different thoughts and emotions pregame. When I looked out at the field so many memories flashed through my head. I remembered my first home game freshman year, it was the second game of the season against Gahanna. We won that game and after, I learned that coach Vince Morrow from Kentucky had been there and had offered Marcus Williamson and I. I remembered the feeling of excitement and disbelief and trying to find my parents to tell them.
I was remembering the summer of practices before my senior year, how the team took me under their wing and were rooting for me to make varsity. That was a special summer for me. I worked really hard. I would go to practice and then go see my trainer Ryan Palmer. He worked me so hard and was an important part of me being physically ready that year. It still hurts to think of all the bunny hops I did up the steps of Hoover Dam that summer.
That team my freshman year was so talented, but the loss of our coach was so disappointing. I always look back at that group of teammates fondly, but also with so many what-ifs.
I had no idea what the future had in store for me yet. I went on to receive offers from Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan State that spring and early summer.
I was a little emotional waiting to walk across the field with my parents. Right before we stepped on the field, I grabbed my mom's hand to hold and when I looked at her I could see her eyes were a little teary. We got announced and walked. I had my parents by my side, just they way they have always been.
Our game started terrible. Orange scored off of two early turnovers. One of which was mine. We never were able to recover. Our offensive line had a hard time holding them and the blocking just wasn't there. We were able to get ourselves in scoring position several times, but we couldn't find the end zone. There were a lot of dropped passes. When I lined up at receiver, there were plenty of times I had double coverage.
My hamstring started bothering me before halftime.
We lost that game, 35-7, and that put an end to our season. A disappointing end to my senior year and the last game I'll play on that field.
My team has struggled and dealt with so much adversity the last four years, I was hoping for more for them this year. I think the future is good for the team. There's a lot of talent left there and coming up. I think the coaching staff will do well and wish them all the best.
I had been planning on playing basketball, but my hamstring pull cancelled that. I'll be using that time to recover and will get back into training and trying to add muscle after the holidays. I'll be back for baseball and track though, definitely hoping to make it back to states for track.
I had to get up early last Saturday for the ACT and then rush home to get on campus for the game against Penn State.
We got there with a little time left to spend on the sidelines before kickoff. While there, former Ohio State head coach John Cooper introduced himself to me and wished me well as a future Buckeye.
Those uniforms in person were even better than I imagined. I could not wait for the game to start. And then it did, it felt like watching a repeat of my game the night before. I kept waiting for them to find their rhythm.
Zach Harrison and four of his teammates sat behind me and we rehashed some of the previous night's game. At halftime we went back to the recruit room to eat and warm up. As we were about to head down we stopped, glued to the television to see if we had really intercepted the ball or if it was another score for Penn St. It was a touchdown.
By the middle of the 4th quarter the whole energy in the 'Shoe had changed.
When those seconds ticked off the clock it was crazy! I wanted to get on that field so bad! That game was the second time in two years I stormed the field, and both were amazing! I loved the fans energy, I loved that the team never gave up on themselves. Being on the field as everyone sings Carmen Ohio together is special.
I can't wait to be a Buckeye!
My Army All-American jersey presentation is tomorrow, Nov. 8th. in the gym of Westerville South at 2:30 p.m. I'm really looking forward to that.
I'm grateful for the opportunity to document my senior season and for the support and encouragement from those that have read my entries.
One chapter has closed, I can't wait to see what else is in store for me.
Thank you.
Go Bucks!
