Ursuline graduate Irizarry humbled by new experience

The Ohio State tight end calls himself "a little fish in a big ocean."
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
COLUMBUS -- Louis Irizarry has only been at Ohio State for two months, but like most freshmen, he's already homesick.
Problem is, when he's in Columbus, he wants to be home and when he's home, he wants to be in Columbus.
"It's like I'm never satisfied," Irizarry, who graduated from Ursuline in June, said. "I always want to do more."
It's all new
Irizarry has learned how to do more than just deal with homesickness. He's learned new terminology, a new playbook and a new system.
He's also learned a lot about humility.
"You go to practice and you're back at the bottom of the charts," Irizarry said. "I'm a little fish in a big ocean."
Well, sort of. When you're a 6-feet-5, 235-pound All-Ohio tight end, you're not a little anything. But Irizarry knows that he needs more than natural talent to make it at this level.
"Everything's a lot more specific and a lot more complex," he said. "You learn all these little things and you realize how much better you could have been in high school."
Better? Given his high school r & eacute;sum & eacute;, that's hard to believe.
By the numbers
Irizarry, last year's Vindicator player of the year, was a four-year letterman and a three-year starter at tight end, catching 128 passes for 2,593 yards and 25 touchdowns. He averaged 20.3 yards per reception.
His sophomore year he caught 46 passes for 962 yards to help the Irish to the Division IV state title.
But for all his success, he's had little trouble switching jerseys. He put on his Buckeye uniform for the first time for the team's media day earlier this month and he liked what he saw.
"I just put this on and I already feel a bond with the team," he said. "I think it's the coolest uniform. It fits nice and snug. I'm ready to jump up and grab one."
Playing time
He's got a lot to learn, but don't be surprised if he sees playing time soon this season. Fifth-year senior Ben Hartsock is primarily a blocking tight end and the Buckeyes have no one at that position with Irizarry's athletic ability.
"I have a lot to learn, but I don't want to sit," Irizarry said. "They gave me a playbook and they're utilizing me in different ways at practice. I'm just trying to learn everything right now."
The learning part should be no problem. Irizarry was more than just a standout football player at Ursuline; he also carried a 3.9 grade point average and was in National Honor Society.
"Nothing is out of reach, but [this summer] has been very humbling," he said. "I just need to work my butt off."
scalzo@vindy.com