While of the attention on Wednesday was placed on Ohio State putting the finishing touches on the best recruiting class in program history, more than a dozen seniors celebrated the chance to join the Buckeyes as a preferred walk-on.
The difference between a preferred walk-on versus someone who simply walks on to the program is they're guaranteed a spot on the 105-man roster at the beginning of camp, while the latter must go through tryouts to earn their way onto the team. They receive all of the same perks as a scholarship athlete, including gear, training tables and access to the coaching staff.
The opportunity to play for their dream school often overrides the chance to attend college at another, often lesser-known program for free. And evidenced by former linebacker Zach Turnure and wide receiver Elijaah Goins, there's always a chance for them to earn a scholarship down the road.
That said, Eleven Warriors would like to introduce to you Ohio State's newest batch of preferred walk-on prospects.
BIG WALNUT LINEBACKER ABE MYERS
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Myers was named honorable mention all-county as he recorded 27 tackles, three tackes for a loss and one forced fumble for the Eagles last season. He chose to accept the walk-on offer from Ohio State over scholarship offers from Air Force, Ashland, Findlay, Holy Cross, Kent State, Notre Dame College and Ohio.
“Ohio State has always been my team,” Myers said. “I just felt like it was the right thing to do because I know I can earn a scholarship, and I have a lot of confidence that I can do that."
BEDFORD WIDE RECEIVER DAVION JOHNSON
The 5-foot-8, 160-pound Johnson hauled in 65 passes for 1,256 yards and 18 touchdowns and was named second-team all-state after leading the Bearcats to the Lake Erie League championship last season. He chose to walk on at Ohio State rather than accept a scholarship offer from Iowa State.
“That's almost every kid's dream school growing up,” Johnson said. “It means a lot because [they] feel that I have the ability to play at the highest level. I feel I can go earn a full scholarship.”
BERLIN CENTER WESTERN RESERVE LINEBACKER JACK CAPPABIANCA
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Cappabianca finished his senior season with the Devils with 55 tackles and three sacks to be named first-team all-district. He picked the Buckeyes over a scholarship offer from Malone University in Canton.
“The opportunity to be a part of and contribute to the success of the Ohio State football team and obtain an education from the Ohio State University and the support of my parents are factors that made the decision to commit an easy one,” Cappabianca said.
BRECKSVILLE-BROADVIEW HEIGHTS WIDE RECEIVER SAM WIGLUSZ
The 6-foot, 175-pound Wiglusz recorded 80 catches for 1,432 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Bees last season. He turned down scholarship offers from Carnegie Mellon, Dayton, Malone, Notre Dame College of Ohio and Wofford to play for the Buckeyes.
“Obviously, Ohio State football is a program that is unmatched,” Wiglusz said. “Getting to work with these coaches and train in the facilities will put me in a position to become the best football player and person I'm capable of. On top of it being a great academic institution, it was a hard opportunity to pass up.”
CINCINNATI SUMMIT COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL WIDE RECEIVER XAVIER JOHNSON
The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Johnson was named Division V honorable mention after he racked up 2,274 all-purpose yards and 25 touchdowns for the Silver Knights last season, which includes four kick and three punt returns for scores. He turned down offers from Cincinnati, Iowa State, North Dakota State and a handful of Mid-American Conference schools to walk-on at Ohio State.
Johnson, who is considered a three-star prospect by 247Sports, is ranked ahead of other wide receivers who have signed with programs like Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, and Oklahoma.
CLEVELAND ST. IGNATIUS OFFENSIVE LINEMAN JACK JAMIESON
The 6-foot-2, 285-pound Jamieson is a two-time captain for the defending state finalist Wildcats. He accepted the opportunity with the Buckeyes over a scholarship offer from Ohio Dominican.
“The thing that made it so appealing to me was the [program's] sustained success at the highest level of competition,” Jamieson said. “A lot of that is due to coach [Urban] Meyer, which was also a big part of my decision. The success that he has had in Columbus on the field and helping the players off is very admirable. I think that they want guys with the winning mentality. Coming from Ignatius and the program we have here, they know that they will get a guy who will work and wants to win.”
DUBLIN JEROME ATHLETE ROBERT COPE
The 5-foot-10, 188-pound Cope rushed for 738 yards and four touchdowns for the Celtics last season. He chose the walk-on opportunity with the Buckeyes over scholarship offers from Findlay and Saginaw Valley State.
“Being a Buckeye has been a dream of mine since I was 4 years old,” Cope said. “I grew up going to games and tailgating outside of the ‘Shoe every Saturday. My entire family consists of die-hard Buckeye fans throughout the State, so this is home to me. Getting a chance to be a part of the Ohio State football program is truly a dream come true.”
DUBLIN JEROME LINEBACKER CADE KACHERSKI
The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Kacherski — son of former Ohio State linebacker John — recorded 65 tackles, four sacks and eight blocked kicks for the Celtics last season and was first-team all-district as a result. He holds academic and athletic scholarship offers from Brown, Indiana State and Western Illinois, but the chance to follow in his father's footsteps was too good to pass up.
“It's huge, but it wasn't a hard decision for me,” Kacherski said. “Home is Ohio State, and with my dad playing ball there, I'm just happy to get the opportunity.”
ERIE COMMUNITY COLLEGE RUNNING BACK MICHAEL JOHNSON
The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Johnson is originally from London, Ohio — halfway between Columbus and Dayton — but elected to go the junior college route after high school. He rushed for 393 yards and five touchdowns in two seasons with the Kats.
“They thought I was more than good enough to be a part of their team and offered me this opportunity,” Johnson said. “It's always been a dream of mine to be an Ohio State Buckeye.”
LYNDHURST BRUSH CORNERBACK LLOYD MCFARQUHAR
The 5-foot-9, 160-pound McFarquhar finished his senior season with the Arcs with 17 tackles, 12 pass break ups and four interceptions and was named a Western Reserve Conference scholar athlete. He decided to accept the walk-on opportunity at Ohio State rather than accept a scholarship offer from Notre Dame College of Ohio.
“To receive a preferred walk-on offer from The Ohio State University is beyond great,” McFarquhar said. “For them to see my film and see something special in me makes me so grateful for the opportunity they are giving me … I'm proud to call myself a Buckeye.”
MASON DEFENSIVE TACKLE GARRISON GLOVER
The 6-foot-5, 270-pound Glover recorded 21 tackles to help the Comets to the second-round of the state playoffs last season. He chose the walk-on offer with the Buckeyes over scholarship offers from Ashland, Kentucky Wesleyan and Urbana.
“From an academic standpoint, Ohio State had all to offer. I've always wanted to major in architecture and interior design,” Glover said. “On top of that, the Ohio State staff made me feel welcomed. They were prepared and straightforward and were excited to see me. I honestly felt more blended in there than any other school. They said that they see me making an impact on the team and having a bright future on their football team.”
MASON DEFENSIVE TACKLE ZAID HAMDAN
The 6-foot, 263-pound Hamdan recorded 45 tackles, 5.5 sacks and one forced fumble for the Comets last year. He choose Ohio State over scholarship offers from Air Force, Army, Buffalo and Navy and preferred walk-on opportunities at Cincinnati, Michigan State and Pittsburgh, and is already enrolled at the university.
They showed by the most love and coach Hodges and coach Johnson laid out a plan for me and my future at Ohio State,” Hamdan said. “They said I could have an impact on the team. This, on top of the great academics and the family feeling I had while on campus, made me choose them over my other offers.”
MASSILLON WASHINGTON WIDE RECEIVER AUSTIN KUTSCHER
The 6-foot-1, 186-pound Kutscher was named second-team all-district as a senior after he hauled in 93 catches for 1,350 yards and 15 touchdowns to help the Tigers to the Divison II state semifinals. He chose the walk-on offer from Ohio State offer double-digit scholarship offers from programs like Ashland, Malone, Saginaw Valley State, Walsh and Wheeling Jesuit.
“It's a huge opportunity, and it's been a goal and dream of mine ever since I was a little kid,” Kutscher said. “I have been a Buckeyes fan my whole life, and I worked really hard to get this opportunity in the classroom and on the field.”
MISSOURI KICKER DOMINIC DIMACCIO
The 5-foot-9, 160-pound DiMaccio played his high school ball at Columbus' St. Francis De Sales, where he was recognized as a second-team All-Ohio selection both his junior and senior seasons. He chose to walk-on at Missouri last spring, but asked for his release from the Tigers in October.
“Over the course of about four months, I watched things fall apart down here,” DiMaccio said. “I asked for my release to transfer and got in contact with Ohio State, and within one phone call, I decided to join the Bucks. I always dreamed of being a Buckeye, so the decision was pretty easy. My godfather [Tom Skladany] was an All-American punter here, so I grew up bleeding Scarlet and Gray.”
DiMaccio also joined the team last month as an early enrollee.
PIQUA LINEBACKER BEN SCHMIESING
The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Schmiesing recorded a team-leading 100 tackles, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, one interception and one defensive touchdown for the Indians last season. He picked Ohio State over offers from Davidson, Dayton and Ohio Dominican.
“It means a lot to me,” Schmiesing said. “Growing up in Ohio, my family and I have always been big Ohio State fans. We've always watched the games on Saturdays, so knowing I have the opportunity to be able to fight for a spot to be one of those guys playing for the Buckeyes on Saturday is such an unbelievable feeling.”
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA, DESERT MOUNTAIN SAFETY LUKE DONOVAN
The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Donovan recorded 79 tackles, six pass break ups, two interceptions and one forced fumble for the Wolves last fall. He decided to walk on at Ohio State instead of accepting a scholarship offer from San Diego thanks to his family ties.
“My dad was born and raised in Columbus and he graduated from Ohio State, so I have a lot of family in the area,” Donovan said. “My mom puts it as, 'I'm getting back to my roots,' and I like that thought a lot.”
WORTHINGTON KILBOURNE LONG SNAPPER ROEN MCCULLOUGH
The 6-foot-2, 235-pound McCullough — the younger brother of current Ohio State long snapper Liam — is considered a five-star prospect and the fourth-best long snapper in the country by Rubio Long Snapping. With the plan for him to take his brother's scholarship when the fourth-year junior departs Columbus, he chose to follow in his footsteps rather than accept a scholarship offer from Cincinnati.
“Ever since I️ was little, it’s been a dream of mine to be able to play football for such a prestigious school,” McCullough said. “It was the only school that felt like a true home to me since I️ grew up eating, sleeping and breathing Buckeye Football. I’ve already made many relationships with the coaches and athletes, strengthening the feeling of being a part of the Buckeye family.”
