Our Honor Defend

I knew this one wouldn’t take long, but after finally getting the offer he coveted the most, Sam Longo — an offensive lineman from Bellbrook, OH — verbally committed today to the Buckeyes.

“It’s a big deal for me,” Longo said today, July 7. “I cut it down to two schools (Ohio State and Penn State) and kept going back and forth.

“I just thought if the offer closed up, could I live with it? I stopped worrying and jumped on it.”

For those unaware, Sam Longo comes from the same high school as current Buckeye Austin Spitler. Further, his dad — Gene Longo — is a Bruce-era alum, having played for the Buckeyes from 1981 through 1984. Longo was a big Buckeye fan, but it seems that his commitment followed from the same reason Jonathan Newsome committed when he did: making sure that the Tressel Vessel didn’t set sail without him. Indeed, Sam is the 24th commitment in the class and, barring anything unforeseen, there couldn’t be anymore than 5 scholarships available. I don’t know the exact number, of course… I’m just more or less expressing amazement by how big this class is going to be.

To be frank, I was shocked when word of the offer went public, thinking that a guy like Sam Longo (as well as John Martinez out of Utah) was a contingency offer if Chris Watt decided to go somewhere other than Ohio State. However, it appears the staff is looking to take five offensive linemen in this class (they tried to take 5 in the last class, with Jenkins and Long opting for other destinations), and Longo will compliment previous commitments from Corey Linsley (who I get sold on more and more with each day) and Jack Mewhort. The Buckeyes are still in the thick of it for Chris Watt and Marcus Hall and seemingly prepared to take both of them. What this does mean is that previous plans for two tight ends in the 2009 class and an extra defensive back or two might no longer be on the table. Vlad Emilien (among others) might not be a Buckeye after all if the Buckeyes take Hall and Watt.

I don’t know for sure, but the height and frame potential has me thinking that Longo might be a left tackle for the Buckeyes in the future. As always, Ohio kids who aspire to play at Ohio State are always welcome.

:beer: