Andrew Phelan, Hoping to Play for Jim Tressel
By Steve Patterson
BrutusReport.com
Andrew Phelan tells us about his interest in Ohio State, what he thought of the program during a recent recruiting visit, and when he would commit to a program if the right program offered a scholarship.
The Lakota West Firebirds have been on the Ohio State recruiting radar for several years now. In 2004, the Buckeyes offered and signed offensive lineman Steve Rehring from the West Chester Ohio high school. In 2006, they offered but did not sign Josh Chichester after some academic issues arose prior to national signing day. And then went back and offered Solomon Thomas for the 2007 recruiting class, he is expected to sign with the Buckeyes after verbally accepting the offer recently. Another lineman from the school is Andrew Phelan, a 6?5?, 255 lbs junior, who favors Ohio State at this point in the recruiting process.
Phelan became a starter for Lakota West this past season at right tackle and has performed well. We asked Phelan about his playing abilities and what sets him apart. ?My best attributes are my pass protection, my first step off the ball, and playing through the whistle.? These skills are needed as the Firebirds have a tough schedule, playing some of the best division one schools in the state, including Cincinnati Colerain and St. Xavier. Phelan believes that he was able to step up his play against these difficult opponents. ?I showed how special of a player I was in the big games (against) Colerain, St. Xavier, and Sycamore.?
Phelan was able to further develop his skills at previous Ohio State summer camps. ?I have attended their summer camp when I was younger, I thought it was fun and it helped me with my skills.? Since the camps, he has made it to campus on a recruiting trip to see the Buckeye?s practice. ?I visited
OSU to watch them practice for their upcoming bowl game. I liked how they practice. I also really like the coaches.?
Liking the coaches is something Phelan believes will add to his comfort level at a school. We asked Phelan about the qualities his college choice will possess. ?I am looking for a college that I feel comfortable at. And one with a tradition, like Ohio State.? Having a couple of Firebird alumni would also be an added benefit. ?Having a player like Soloman at Ohio State affects my interest a lot. I am very interested now that two Lakota West alumni are there.? When not on campus, Steve Rehring lives across the street from the junior tackle.
Of course four linemen in the 2008 class have already received Ohio State offers, making additional offers more likely towards the end of the recruiting process in 2007. Therefore, Phelan is keeping his options open and talking to several other schools. ?Tennessee and Marshall are the only schools that have shown interest so far. I have no scholarship offers at this point.? He reported to us.
He would like to make a college choice prior to his senior season starting. ?I would like to choice a college as soon as possible, before my senior season starts if possible. But I am not sure how possible that is.? The right school would have to offer for Phelan to feel comfortable early in the process. Finally, we asked what would be the factors that would seal the deal for a college program to land a verbal commitment. ?The final factors will be prestige and if the schools I am interested in offers me. I would love to play for coach Tressel and the Buckeyes.?
