04-07-2004, 11:30 AM
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Head Coach
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Join Date: Nov 2003
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Total Points: 499,428.16
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Hometown paper article about Jim's verbal
Lancaster paper
Quote:
LANCASTER -- Twice voted Best Camper at Ohio State's summer lineman camp, Jim Cordle had no trouble grabbing the Buckeyes' attention.
And the Buckeyes made sure no one else grabbed Cordle. He wasn't about to put up a fight.
Cordle, a 6-foot-5, 285-pound junior at Lancaster, verbally committed Tuesday to play at Ohio State, becoming the third such commitment for the Class of 2005 and the third Lancaster player in two years to commit to a Division I school.
Cordle, a First Team all-Ohioan, is rated the No. 2 offensive lineman in Ohio by Duane Long's High School magazine. The top lineman, Alex Boone of Lakewood St. Edward, has already committed to Ohio State.
"We've had guys with potential, but no one with (Cordle's) size and strength," Lancaster offensive coordinator Tony Albertini said. "He's in a different league."
Cordle visited Tuesday's spring practice with Lancaster head coach Rob Carpenter and Albertini and met with Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel.
"(Tressel) asked me if I knew this was the place I wanted to be," Cordle said. "I had known for a long time the answer was yes. We talked for a bit and then shook hands on it."
Cordle spurned four schools that made offers during the last two weeks. Cincinnati and West Virginia made their offers two weeks ago, followed last week by Ohio State and last weekend by Boston College and Pittsburgh.
Cordle visited Notre Dame and Illinois this weekend and Cincinnati on Monday. Those visits were the only reason Cordle didn't immediately commit to Ohio State.
"I wanted to commit right there, but I wanted to see what the other schools were offering and make absolutely sure that Ohio State was the best place for me," Cordle said. "It is."
Cordle was arguably the anchor of an offensive line that paved the way for Jonathan Carpenter to set Lancaster's all-time rushing record in 2003. Carpenter, who committed to Cincinnati in February, rushed for 2,210 yards and 36 touchdowns as the Golden Gales won 10 games and clinched their first Ohio Capital Conference championship.
"Some people are saying Jimmy is the best returning run-blocker in the state," said Rob Carpenter, who has repeatedly referred to Cordle as one of the top lineman he's ever been around as a player or coach. "There may have been a question about his pass-blocking abilities, which people don't see much of because of our system (the Wing-T), but Ohio State knows he's a good athlete. They wouldn't have recruited him unless he was at the top."
Cordle, who transferred from Fisher Catholic before this school year, will join 2002 Lancaster graduate Bobby Carpenter, a linebacker, at Ohio State.
"We think a few more out of this class have the chance to go Division I before it's all said and done," Albertini said. The Gales should have at least 26 seniors on their roster this fall, including six offensive linemen and nine returning starters.
Linemen Shawn Fosnaugh (6-5, 280) and Tom Stuck (6-2, 290), among several other teammates, are being recruited by Division I schools.
"It's a tribute to the kids and their commitment to get better," Albertini said. "They're dedicated to making Lancaster one of the best programs in Ohio."
Jamario O'Neal of Cleveland Glenville is the Buckeyes' third early commitment.
Originally published Wednesday, April 7, 2004
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