Eli Lee talks Ohio State offer; Archbishop Hoban linebacker will attend multiple Buckeyes games
AKRON, Ohio - Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles took advantage of the Buckeyes’ bye week by attending a couple of high school games in Ohio on Friday, September 29. One of those happened to be Archbishop Hoban’s home game against Walsh Jesuit, a 57-7 win for Hoban.
One player Knowles was there to see didn’t disappoint, as linebacker Eli Lee was in on multiple stops, including a tackle in the end zone in the first quarter for a safety.
“It felt great,” Lee said of making a big play in front of Knowles. “It’s obviously a big deal that he was here watching a few of us. I was ready to make some plays in front of him. I’m really pumped about it.”
If Lee was pumped about playing in front of Knowles, that excitement ramped up even more a few days later when the junior received his official offer from Ohio State.
“I was so excited, I was so happy, I couldn't stop smiling,” Lee said. “I went down and told my family right away, then they talked to my family for a little bit on the phone, too. It was just awesome."
Lee, listed as a 3-star recruit by 247Sports and the No. 15th ranked player in the state of Ohio in the junior class, had a simple response when asked if as an Ohio kid, Ohio State was his dream school.
“Oh, yeah,” Lee said with a huge smile.
Lee has a few visits set up for the coming weeks, which includes seeing Ohio State in both of its biggest conference games, one at home and one on the road.
“I’m going to the Ohio State-Penn State game (October 21 at Ohio State),” Lee said. “And I'm going to the Michigan-Ohio State game (November 25 at Michigan)."
He isn’t just going to check out Ohio State, however.
“I'm pretty sure I'm going to a Cincinnati game,” Lee said. “I don't know my schedule exactly, but then I'm going to go to a Penn State game.”
The recruiting trail has not impacted Lee’s focus as Hoban tries to advance to its third state championship game in a row and win its sixth state championship in nine years.
“I'm enjoying the ride,” Lee said. “I just love playing football (and) I get rewarded. I'm thankful for my teammates, they've given me the opportunity, the school has given me the opportunity. I'm just thankful for them.”
-- Ryan Isley | ryan@scorebooklive.com | @sbliveoh
(Feature photo: Eli Lee records a sack in Archbishop Hoban's season opener against Frederick Douglass (Kentucky) at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton. Photo credit: Jeff Harwell)
