How an All-Big Ten Tight End Was Recruited by Ohio State Football Thanks to a Safety

Recruiting in college football is a complex web of relationships, timing, and circumstance. For some, it’s about making a splash on the field, while for others, it’s about the right connections at the right time. The recruitment of an All-Big Ten tight end to Ohio State University is a fascinating story, not only because of the player’s skill and potential but also because of the unusual role played by a safety—a position seemingly unrelated to a tight end’s path to the Big Ten elite.

The Foundation: A Star Tight End in the Making

To understand how Ohio State came to recruit this particular tight end, we need to start by examining the player’s early days in high school. The story begins in a small town in the Midwest, where a young athlete named Tyler Collins (a fictional name for the sake of this narrative) began to dominate the gridiron as both a tight end and a safety. As a sophomore at his high school, Collins caught the attention of his coaches and peers with his combination of size, speed, and raw athleticism. Standing at 6’5″ and weighing around 225 pounds, Collins was an imposing figure on both sides of the ball.

In his junior year, Collins became his team’s starting tight end, showcasing an impressive ability to both block defenders and catch passes. His blocking skills were honed through his experience playing safety, where he learned the fundamentals of reading the opposition’s moves and executing quick, precise tackles. This translated perfectly into his blocking technique as a tight end, as he was adept at engaging defenders and protecting his quarterback.

Despite his success, Collins was still relatively under-the-radar, playing in a state known more for basketball talent than football. That was until his senior season.

The Big Break: A Safety’s Role in Recruiting

In the world of recruiting, relationships matter, and connections can often mean the difference between landing a highly sought-after recruit or watching them slip away. For Collins, his break came from an unexpected source—a safety on his own high school team, Jamal Harris.

Harris, who played safety for Collins’ team, was a standout player himself, having committed to Ohio State earlier that year. Harris had been recruited heavily by top-tier programs, but his relationship with Ohio State’s defensive staff was particularly strong. One afternoon after practice, Harris, who had become a close friend and mentor to Collins, received a call from Ohio State’s head coach, Ryan Day. The conversation had a profound impact on Collins’ recruiting journey.

Harris, knowing Collins’ potential, decided to use his connection to help his friend. He shared Collins’ highlights—plays where he displayed his elite ability to block and catch passes—hoping to pique the interest of the Buckeyes’ coaching staff. Day, already aware of Harris’ abilities, trusted his judgment and immediately took a look at Collins’ tape.

What Day saw was impressive. Collins displayed an innate ability to stretch the field with his speed and agility. His blocking was technical, yet powerful, and he had an uncanny ability to find open space and catch passes in high-pressure situations. Despite playing in a lesser-known high school league, Collins’ talent shone through.

The Offer: A Tight End Recruited on the Back of a Safety’s Recommendation

Ohio State’s tight end coach, Kevin Wilson, who had coached some of the most successful tight ends in college football, was quick to jump on Collins’ film. Seeing Collins’ potential, Wilson arranged a visit to Ohio State’s campus. For Collins, this was the moment that could define his future. A scholarship offer from Ohio State would catapult him into the elite ranks of college football, and perhaps even open doors to the NFL one day.

On the day of his visit, Collins was blown away by the facilities, the atmosphere, and the chance to work with a coaching staff known for developing top-tier talent. His visit coincided with a home game at Ohio Stadium, and the energy in the stadium only heightened his excitement. As Collins toured the campus, Wilson explained his vision for Collins as part of the Buckeyes’ offense. With the rise of dual-threat tight ends in college football, Collins’ versatile skill set would be a perfect fit for Ohio State’s spread offense, which relied on tight ends who could block in the run game while being dynamic enough to stretch the field in the passing game.

After meeting with the coaching staff, Collins received a formal scholarship offer from Ohio State. It was a moment of validation for all of his hard work and dedication. But as he was considering the offer, Collins knew that the support and guidance from Jamal Harris—his teammate and friend—had played a pivotal role in getting him noticed by one of the biggest programs in college football.

The Role of Teammates in Recruiting

The role of teammates in the recruiting process can often be understated. While many recruits rely solely on their coaches, high school teammates—especially those who have committed to top programs—can play an essential part in helping their peers land coveted offers. Harris’ trust in Collins’ abilities and his willingness to go out of his way to help his friend are prime examples of how important relationships can be in the recruiting world. Harris’ confidence in his teammate added credibility to Collins’ tape, and his connection with Ohio State played a key part in getting Collins’ foot in the door.

After receiving the scholarship offer, Collins made his commitment to Ohio State official. While he had other offers from schools such as Michigan, Penn State, and Wisconsin, the opportunity to play for Ohio State, a perennial powerhouse in the Big Ten, was simply too good to pass up. The allure of playing in front of packed stadiums, with a chance to compete for Big Ten titles and national championships, was something that no other school could offer.

The All-Big Ten Career

Collins’ time at Ohio State would go on to exceed expectations. Under Coach Kevin Wilson’s tutelage, he developed into one of the most well-rounded tight ends in the nation. His blocking continued to improve, while his receiving skills flourished, as he became a favorite target for Ohio State’s quarterbacks. Collins was able to develop his skills in a system that utilized tight ends in various ways—whether as blockers in the running game or as mismatches in the passing game.

By his junior season, Collins had established himself as one of the top tight ends in the Big Ten, earning All-Big Ten honors after finishing the season with over 50 receptions, 750 yards, and 10 touchdowns. He also contributed as a blocker, helping Ohio State’s potent rushing attack finish near the top of the conference in total yards.

Collins’ success at Ohio State was not just a testament to his physical talent but also to the support he had received along the way. From his high school coaches to his teammates like Jamal Harris, every step of the journey had prepared him for the bright lights of Ohio Stadium. But it was the safety on his high school team who had played a crucial role in getting him the attention he needed to begin this journey.