Boardman’s Linsley will play at OSU

By Joe Scalzo

The 6-4, 275-pound junior tackle chose the Buckeyes over Stanford and Notre Dame.

BOARDMAN — Two years ago, a big, strong Boardman High sophomore tackle named Corey Linsley moved up to the varsity level and quickly caught the eye of the Spartans’ coaches.

“You could tell he was gonna be a stud,” said Boardman coach D.J. Ogilvie. “As a sophomore, he was behind mentally, but he just got better every day.

“Eventually, he was one of our best lineman. He deserved to start.”

That was in mid-season. Linsley has started every game since, and after a stellar season at tackle has opened the eyes of college coaches, too.

Linsley (6-foot-4, 275 pounds) verbally committed to Ohio State Monday, becoming the second offensive lineman to join the school’s 2009 recruiting class and the 13th overall. He is ranked as the 154th-best player in the country by Rivals.com and the fourth-best offensive guard prospect.

He chose the Buckeyes over Stanford (where he was recruited by former Boardman standout D.J. Durkin) and Notre Dame.

“Me and my coach [Ogilvie] sat down and talked about it a little bit and figured out Ohio State was the best place for me on paper,” said Linsley. “Growing up an Ohio State fan, it seemed like the right thing to do.”

Linsley will likely move to guard in college — major Division I colleges prefer tackles to be a few inches taller — which is fine with him.

“I just want to help out any way I can,” he said.

Linsley was a second team All-Ohioan in Division I last season for the Spartans, who made their first playoff appearance since 2001. He was also first team all-district and All-Federal League after grading out as the team’s best lineman.

When asked how good he was, Ogilvie chuckled and said, “If Ohio State wants you, you must be legit. That [offer] says it all right there.

“He’s a great kid, a hard worker and unbelievably physical.”

Stanford initially was the front-runner for his services — he has a 3.3 grade point average, so the school’s educational aspect appealed to him — but Ohio State’s football tradition and proximity won out. The Buckeyes have been interested for months and extended an official offer in March. Ohio State assistants Jim Heacock (a West Branch High graduate) and Jim Bollman (the offensive coordinator) visited Boardman last Friday.

“I thought I’d get it over with,” he said of the commitment. “I’m excited, anxious. ... It’s basically a relief. Excited is the best way to put it.

“Now I’m able to focus on track.”

Linsley, a state finalist in the shot put last spring, has the second-best throw in the state this season (58-01‚Ñ2 feet) and is aiming to win a state title in the event this year.

He saw limited time on defense last year and will likely play both ways this fall.

“That’s a team thing, not a college thing” he said of playing defense. “I’ll still be at tackle, but I want to play a little more defense.

“I just want to do whatever I can to help the team.”

scalzo@vindy.com