'09 IL OL Chris Watt (Notre Dame Verbal)

[Buckskin86]

Recruiters zero in on top juniors
Loaded with quarterbacks, Class of '09 being hailed as one of the best in years

January 27, 2008
BY TAYLOR BELL

Imagine the expression on Chris Watt's face when he noticed Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel and his brother Dick, the Buckeyes' running backs coach, sitting in the stands during a recent Glenbard West basketball practice.

''I knew they were coming,'' Watt said. ''They showed up about 30-40 minutes after practice started. It was kind of overwhelming to see them watching me. They were coming to see if I could move, if I could run up and down the floor, how athletic I am.

''I didn't want them to think I was lazy or slow or not hustling. I wondered if I was impressing them. It was one of the hardest practices of my life. I was going 100 miles per hour. I didn't want the coach to take me out of the drills.''

Tressel wasn't scouting Watt for Ohio State basketball coach Thad Matta. He wanted to see how well Watt, a 6-4, 275-pound offensive tackle, could run up and down the floor. After observing the workout, he was satisfied with Watt's athleticism.

A few hours later, Tressel asked Montini's Garrett Goebel, one of Ohio State's prize recruits this season, to call Watt and inform him that Tressel was offering a scholarship. Three days later, the official notice arrived in the mail.

Watt also has been offered a scholarship by Illinois, Iowa, Indiana and Minnesota. Virginia is expected to offer. He hopes Notre Dame will offer. Oklahoma, Duke and Arizona have expressed interest. He plans to visit Northwestern, Wake Forest, Vanderbilt and Tennessee and hopes Florida will call.

''I never thought I would be able to get all these offers from such great schools,'' he said. ''I don't know what I want. I want to go to college for academics, not just football. But I want to win a national championship at the next level.

''I want to make a decision before my senior season. I'm trying to enjoy the recruiting process now. It isn't overwhelming yet. But I don't want it to get out of hand and too stressful.''

Recruiters zero in on top juniors :: High School Sports ::

[stowfan]

Excellent news considering XPunisher's glowing report.

[wadc45]

Rivals $

1/28

By EdgyTim...talks about receiving offers from Illinois, Minnesota, Arizona and Purdue after all four schools visited his school. WVU and MSU are due in this week. Talks about the junior day at Northwestern and wants to make an unofficial to OSU soon.

[osubucksfan2]

Originally Posted by wadc45

Rivals $

1/28

By EdgyTim...talks about receiving offers from Illinois, Minnesota, Arizona and Purdue after all four schools visited his school. WVU and MSU are due in this week. Talks about the junior day at Northwestern and wants to make an unofficial to OSU soon.

Basketball season is holding him back a little bit. He wants to try and come down to Ohio State in late February. He wants to get his parents down here and he really wants to see our facilities becasue he has heard they are the best in the nation...

[BGriffBuckeye]

Originally Posted by osubucksfan2

Basketball season is holding him back a little bit. He wants to try and come down to Ohio State in late February. He wants to get his parents down here and he really wants to see our facilities becasue he has heard they are the best in the nation...

I wonder if Garrett told him that... or XPUN?

[XPUNISHR]

Originally Posted by BGriffBuckeye

I wonder if Garrett told him that... or XPUN?

How about BOTH!! IMO the integrity & professionalism of OSU coaches / staff is what really sets the Buckeyes apart from the other programs (at least from our experience looking at schools in the Midwest) and the BUCKEYE FANS are the icing on the cake!!

But each kid is different and many factors can be viewed various ways but ultimately you want the young athlete to be successfull and content with their choice of universities.....I struggle to remain objective while helping talented kids like Chris Watt. For example read the following thread!!!!

XP

[XPUNISHR]

Chris Watt is anxious to make an unofficial visit to Columbus. However due to his basketball season the soonest he can visit will be on the 2nd weekend in March (9th+10th I believe). He continues to add offers (10+ offers currently) yet IMO he is really honored & excited about the Buckeye's offer. I mentioned to him how awesome it would be for he & Garrett Goebel to be teamates & win a few National Championships together!!

Watt reminds me of Goebel in terms of maturity & level of humility. Both athletes are relatively quiet yet do there talking by their performances on the gridiron.

[bucksfn157]

Originally Posted by XPUNISHR

Chris Watt is anxious to make an unofficial visit to Columbus. However due to his basketball season the soonest he can visit will be on the 2nd weekend in March (9th+10th I believe). He continues to add offers (10+ offers currently) yet IMO he is really honored & excited about the Buckeye's offer. I mentioned to him how awesome it would be for he & Garrett Goebel to be teamates & win a few National Championships together!!

Watt reminds me of Goebel in terms of maturity & level of humility. Both athletes are relatively quiet yet do there talking by their performances on the gridiron.

Great to hear and make sure to keep the good news coming
Chris sounds like an excellent addition to the university as well as the football team.

[osubucksfan2]

Originally Posted by XPUNISHR

Chris Watt is anxious to make an unofficial visit to Columbus. However due to his basketball season the soonest he can visit will be on the 2nd weekend in March (9th+10th I believe).

I guess my info was off by 2 weeks.........Thanks for clarification

[stowfan]

Next time X visits the board I wonder how he compares Chris to Leon Hill the recent IL. verbal?

[lopo89]

Ive never seen either play (I would go see Chris play if i wasnt down at school) but size wize Leon Hill is massive, a true mammoth at 6ft. 6in 330 pounds. Chris is 6ft. 4in, 270 pounds. --Per rivals.

Skill wise. No idea.

Leon Hill and the other IL commit, Lendell Buckner, both played for the same team (Leo) but they also both transferred from powerhouse Mt. Carmel (ND commit Steve Filer, IL commit Glenn Foster). Kinda scary to think how good Mt. Carmel might have been with those two. (lost in the semis this year)

[Naplesbuckeye]

Why did those guys transfer to Mt. Carmel? If you guys need to move this to the other thread I understand.

[lopo89]

I asked Lendell and he said for personal reasons.

But back to Chris before Wadc gets mad at me

[XPUNISHR]

Originally Posted by stowfan

Next time X visits the board I wonder how he compares Chris to Leon Hill the recent IL. verbal?

I cannot compare as I have not seen Hill play. Once Watt's video is on the 'net you can draw your own conclusions. All I know is that Watt NEVER gave up a QB sack (He also plays both ways...OT & DT) in two seasons on varsity team & this past season he AVERAGED OVER 10 PANCAKE BLOCKS / GAME!! Chris Watt is very athletic and has not even begun to approach his potential...still growing & maturing. He has the ability to make a considerable impact as an OG / Center as he has impressive footwork / quickness. Would be a great addition to Bucs O-line.

[OregonBuckeye]

Originally Posted by XPUNISHR

Would be a great addition to Bucs O-line.

That he would but hopefully that's not until 5-6 years from now. We want him on the Bucks o-line first.