Billy Price | Fitch footballl (defense)

A 6-foot-4, 300-pound defensive linemen from Fitch holds Cory Linsley, J.T. Moore and John Simon in the highest regard. Now, young Buckeye fans in Northeast Ohio will practice to become the next Billy Price. Bound for Ohio State, Price knows the responsibility he takes on playing for one of the most passionate universities in the country. He’s already lived it his entire life.

“In Youngstown, we’re known for hard work,” Price said. “There is a lot of hometown pride for me to carry down to Columbus.”

Price was offered by some other top Division I programs, like Notre Dame, Michigan and West Virginia, but the big city atmosphere with a close-knit community really hit home.

“They want to bring the families in to be a part of the program,” Price said. “It’s what Coach [Phil] Annarella preached and it’s exactly what Coach [Urban] Meyer is going to do.”

He had over 40 tackles in his senior season and anchored a line that averaged nearly 300 yards per game. The Falcons fell to defending champion St. Ignatius, 35-26, in the first round of the playoffs.

“We definitely put an impact on those guys,” Price said.

He’ll begin practice for spring track in January.

“T.J. Koniowsky is phenomenal,” Price said. “He’s an animal in the weight room and he’s going to keep pushing me. Coach [Mickey] Marotti at OSU will push me until I can’t go any more. That’s what football is all about.”