OSU’s Boren set for last season

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Justin Boren, who famously transferred from Michigan to rival Ohio State, is relishing his final year as a Buckeye.

Three years after an ugly departure from the Wolverines, the senior figures to be an anchor on the offensive line.

Boren played his high school ball just a few miles from the Ohio State campus, in Pickerington. But during his recruitment he selected Michigan over Ohio State. That wasn’t a huge surprise, since his father, Mike, was a former linebacker for the Wolverines.

Justin Boren spent two years following in his dad’s cleats as a Wolverine and was honorable mention All-Big Ten in Lloyd Carr’s last year as head coach. When Rich Rodriguez replaced Carr, a rift developed between the new coach and the 6-foot-3, 320-pound then-sophomore.

Boren ended up transferring to Ohio State, and now is reticent to discuss his controversial transfer from the Buckeyes’ chief rival.

“I’m glad it’s all in the past,” he said. “I’m a Buckeye. I’ve been a Buckeye for three years.”

However, he loves to discuss how far he and the rest of the offensive linemen have come.

“I think we’re a lot more mature. I think guys understand what’s going on a lot more,” he said. “As a unit, I think we’re a stronger unit both on the field and off the field.”

Boren, whose brother Zach starts at fullback for the Buckeyes, also said that he appreciates the sport far more now that he is a senior and has spent three years adapting to Ohio State.

“It’s real. This is my last spring ball in college and everything you do, it’s like the last time you’re going to do it,” he said. “You kind of take things for granted, and now you sort of look back and think, ’Now’s the time to do it.”’

He said it’s not a question of taking his role more seriously.

“I don’t know if you take it more seriously, you just appreciate it more,” he said.