Doug Datish is at center of Buckeyes' attention

Sunday, August 27, 2006 The lineman from Howland anchors Ohio State's offensive front. By JOE SCALZO VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF Ohio State senior Doug Datish's favorite movie is "Patton." He's already earned his history degree and he's working on his master's. When he's done with football, he may even pursue a career in politics. He loves history. Now he's hoping to reverse it. The Buckeyes are ranked No. 1 in the AP preseason poll for the sixth time. They've never finished in the top spot after starting that way. "We're looking forward to the challenge," said Datish, a Howland High graduate. "At the same time, when you're at Ohio State, you already expect to win every game. Being ranked No. 1 doesn't change anything because people are already gunning for us every week." The one thing that has changed? Datish's profile. Cover boy He joined fellow lineman T.J. Downing and quarterback Troy Smith on the cover of last week's Sports Illustrated and has been interviewed extensively by media outlets in recent weeks. "It's a cool thing for myself and my family," said Datish, the son of Mike (who played on Ohio State's 1975 Rose Bowl team) and Susan Datish. "You grow up reading Sports Illustrated and seeing the covers and to be in that group of people is just unbelievable." When the cover came out, Datish's girlfriend, country singer Karli Whetstone, went out and bought as many copies as she could find. "You expect to get a lot of media attention at Ohio State. That's just the way it is. It's been a little more intense for me personally, but it's a welcome intensity." Preseason hype Most of Ohio State's preseason hype has centered around the offense, which has standouts such as Smith, wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. and running back Antonio Pittman. But you can't overlook a talented line that returns three starters (including Downing and Datish) along with several others with experience. Datish, a 6-foot-5, 290-pounder, will move from guard to center. He was primarily a tackle last year, but will move to center this season to replace Nick Mangold, a first-round draft pick by the New York Jets in April. He's seen time at all three positions. Which does he prefer? "I prefer to play," he said. "I don't care where it is." All-Ohioan Datish, a first-team All-Ohioan as a senior at Howland, has honed his ability over the past few years under the tutelage of offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Jim Bollman. "Basically, [he] and his coaching helped me get where I'm at today," Datish said. "He's helped me learn how to play offensive line at an elite level." Datish makes it back to Howland as often as he can — he was the first of a bevy of recent Division I prospects at the school — and said he still uses the advice of Tigers coach Dick Angle. "Coach Angle always told us to work hard and not let anyone else out-work you," Datish said. "I know it's a cliché, but it's true." scalzo@vindy.com