No sweat for Hubbard’s impressive class on NSD

By Kevin Connelly

kconnelly@vindy.com

HUBBARD

Mystery was the only thing missing from this year’s National Signing Day across the Mahoning Valley.

However that wasn’t for a lack of effort from the school that owns the Buckeye state.

Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer called 4-star running back L.J. Scott of Hubbard High School late Tuesday night to try and flip the state’s second-ranked player hours before he was to sign with Michigan State.

Scott verbally committed to the Spartans in July and confirmed he was “100 percent Michigan State” last week. But as many college football coaches will say, nothing is official until a player signs his letter of intent and it comes through the fax machine at the other end.

Just before 8 a.m. Wednesday morning, Scott’s letter arrived in East Lansing causing a collective sigh of relief from the Spartans.

“I just told [Meyer] sometimes it’s not easy,” Scott said Wednesday afternoon at Hubbard’s signing day ceremony.

“Life ain’t easy, but I gotta do what’s best for me. Wherever that means I’ll feel more comfortable, I gotta take that path.”

Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio is glad Scott’s path will include playing for him. The state’s top-ranked running back in this year’s class holds school records for single game, season (2,819) and career (7,481) rushing yards, as well as season (38) and career (105) touchdown totals.

However it was Scott’s loyalty, rather than his numbers, that really stood out to his new coach.

“Most noticeable thing I got is he stayed the course,” Dantonio said of Scott when he addressed the Spartans’ signing class on Wednesday.

“When he gave us his commitment, I think it was in July, he maintained that commitment throughout the entire process and never wavered. When there were a lot of people that tried to knock on the door, he never wavered once, and I think that speaks to the credibility of not only him but the credibility of our entire class.”

Dantonio also compared Scott (6-foot-2, 230) to a former Spartan and current Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell. It’s high praise for a kid who has yet to set foot on a college practice field. Scott doesn’t mind.

“I definitely want to go there and start,” he said of his expectations. “I’m going to work for it for sure.

“I want to be able to do great things with my power, speed and overall balance. I want to make a name for myself.”

While Wednesday’s list of signees may begin with Scott, it certainly doesn’t end there. Four other Eagles signed their letters, including L.J.’s brother Isiah, who gave Bo Pelini a local marquee player in his first signing class at Youngstown State.

The wide receiver/defensive back/linebacker/really talented athlete who can play just about anywhere is happy to be a Penguin — and happy signing day is over with.

“So much weight just got taken off my shoulders,” Isiah said. “I’ve been worried about this since probably like October.

“Now that I actually did it I feel pretty good.”

Isiah (6-foot-3, 200) was considering Kentucky and Cincinnati, among others. But once Pelini took over at YSU, he made the choice easier.

“It means a lot to be playing for one of the greatest coaches in the game,” Isiah said. “I’m honestly happy he’s considering me to play for him, so it means a lot.”

The recruit who had the largest contingent of supporters was offensive lineman Matt Jones, who signed with West Virginia and never really considered going anywhere else. A four-year starter along the Eagles’ line, Jones (6-foot-3, 325) collected plenty of honors during his time at Hubbard.

“Personally, I think I did everything I can do,” Jones said. “Made all-state again and everything else. It was a pretty good season in my book.”

Mountaineers head coach Dana Holgorsen described Jones as a big, powerful kid who could benefit from a college workout regimen. He also noted what a pleasure it was to recruit him.

“That kid never wavered,” Holgorsen said Wednesday. “He was down here all the time. He was fired up about being a Mountaineer.

“He had offers from other people that he didn’t entertain, which is refreshing in today’s day and time.”

Linebacker Tyler Taafe was the fourth Eagles player to sign his letter of intent at what turned out to be a crowded table. He’s headed to Toledo, giving Hubbard the most Division I commits of any area school in this year’s class — something he felt benefited all of them.

“It was awesome, because there was always someone to compete with,” Taafe said. “Whether it was in the weight room, practice, anything.

“It created an environment of competition and I think that was good for us.”

Lineman Zach Hover also signed with Walsh University.