Irizarry returns to the ’Shoe YSU’s senior tight end started his career with the Buckeyes.

By PETE MOLLICA

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

YOUNGSTOWN — Louis Irizarry always knew that he would be starting someday as a tight end in the Horseshoe in Columbus.

But five years ago as a highly recruited high school senior out of Ursuline High School, Irizarry expected that start to be for the Ohio State Buckeyes, not against them.

Saturday the 6-foot-5, 255-pound senior will lead the Youngstown State football team into Columbus for the school’s first football meeting with the Buckeyes and former YSU coach Jim Tressel.

Irizarry had an outstanding career at Ursuline, helping the Irish to the Division IV state championship as a sophomore and earning high school All-America honors as a senior.

College Football News listed him as the 37th-best high school prospect in the country in 2003 and he was undecided between Ohio State and Miami before finally settling with the Buckeyes.

As a true freshman he played in eight games with the Buckeyes, including a Fiesta Bowl win against Kansas State.

Ran into problems

Then in the offseason Irizarry got into some off-campus trouble, ended up spending a couple of months in jail and wasn’t welcomed back to the Ohio State campus.

“At the time I got into trouble the first thing that went through my mind, was that I’ve blown my chance,” he said. “But your self-esteem isn’t real high at that point and there were still a lot of questions to be answered.”

Through all his troubles the ones who stood closely behind him were his parents, Louis and Evelyn Irizarry.

“They were there for me the whole way and after we got things straightened around they helped me to find out just who and if anybody was still interested in me as a player,” he added.

Remained close to Tressel

Irizarry remained in close contact with Tressel, who was waiting to see what Ohio State’s stand on the issue would be.

“His opinion meant a great deal and it still does,” Irizarry added.

After sitting out the 2004 season, Irizarry came back home to Youngstown and paid a visit to YSU coach Jon Heacock.

“I was just talking to the team the other night and I told them of sitting in Coach Heacock’s office and him telling me that if I came here that the Penguins would be giving me nothing and that it was up to me to earn whatever I got,” he said.

“I took that as a huge challenge, one that I still carry today,” he added. “It’s something that we talk about often and I love him for taking a chance with me.”

Walked on to YSU in 2005

Irizarry walked on to the YSU football program in the fall of 2005 and spent the entire year working with the scout team and doing everything that the coaches asked him to do.

Heacock has had nothing but praise for the talented athlete.

“He came in here and started right from the bottom and worked very hard and did everything that was asked of him,” Heacock said.

In the spring of 2006 Irizarry got his first chance to really show his stuff to the coaches, but early in the session he pulled a hamstring and didn’t even get to play in the Red and White spring game.

Last fall he came out and not only played in every game, he started seven of them. He also was one of just two players to catch a pass in every game.

He finished with 25 catches for 304 yards and two touchdowns and was named to the Gateway Conference All-Newcomer team.

Looking to big season

This season Irizarry is looking for even better things. He and junior tight end Derrick Bush (6-4, 265) give the Penguins two of the best tight ends in the Football Championship Division (formerly I-AA).

“I really look for the tight ends to play a big role in this year’s offense,” Irizarry said. “Just the fact that most of the offensive plays this year have two tight ends in the game is a big plus for us.

“We can both split out when we need to and we are both good blockers, which can only help the offense,” he said.

And what does Irizarry think about his return trip to Columbus and the game against the Buckeyes?

“Well, Louis feels that if he continues to work hard and improve on the things that he needs to he’ll do all right in the game next week,” Irizarry said.

“It’s really a whole different level of competition and you really just can’t prepare for each other,” he added. “We have to do what we know we can do, but we have to do it at our best down there.

“I’m excited about the opportunity, the whole team is excited about the opportunity,” he added.

“I know one thing for certain, Youngstown has given me the opportunity to play this game again.”