TomVH: OL Kyle Kalis Talks About His OSU Commitment

Submitted by TomVH on

With all the turmoil surrounding Ohio State's recent implosion, recruiting has suddenly become an interesting topic for the Buckeyes. Normally the instate prospects don't stray too far and end up committing to Ohio State. The resignation of Jim Tressel and the impending sanctions however have thrown a huge wrench in their well oiled machine. One of the most important prospects for new head coach Luke Fickell to try to keep on board is St. Edward offensive lineman Kyle Kalis (6'5", 300 lbs).

Kalis was distraught when the news came of Jim Tressel's resignation. He even went as far as calling the interim coach Luke Fickell to tell him he was decommitting from the program. Fickell talked Kalis down and got him to remain committed to the Buckeyes for now. Here's what Kalis had to say about where he stands with Ohio State and what could happen with his commitment in the near future. First his film, then the questions.

TOM: Where are you at with your commitment to Ohio State? Are you still listening to other coaches?

KYLE: I'm still listening to coaches. I want to go to Ohio State, but I want to know that Coach Fickell is going to be my head coach when I'm there, and if we don't have more than a two year bowl ban. 

TOM: What other schools are you entertaining right now? Do you have a group that you'll listen to?

KYLE: Yeah, I think I've narrowed it down to Auburn, Alabama, Wisconsin, Miami, Iowa, and Michigan. That's not in any order, but those schools I would be interested in if anything happened. I'm still committed to Ohio State, though.

TOM: Would you potentially visit those schools just to make sure you're covered?

KYLE: Yeah, I mean I'm not in a rush but whenever I can I'd like to just go give them all a look.

Kalis wanted to make sure that this didn't come off as demanding in anyway, and wanted to make sure that everyone knows he still wants to end up at Ohio State. He has to have a backup plan though in case anything happens with the NCAA sanctions. Just so that's clear.

Comments

rockydude

June 8th, 2011 at 2:06 AM ^

The new "alleged" violations (the 40k for autograph ones) would be enough to make anyone reconsider at least a little bit. It is looking more like OSU is going to get penalties that will make them envious of USC. Don't know if he will decide that Michigan is the right place for him, but it would be hard for even Bucknuts to hold it against him now if he ends up somewhere besides OSU.

althegreat23

June 8th, 2011 at 2:12 AM ^

We don't need him. Our West Coast targets of Banner, Simmons, Magnuson, and Garnett are better anyway. Although, he wouldn' t hurt just steal someone from Ohio St. That is the real draw to me. ha ha down with the Cheaters!

Space Coyote

June 8th, 2011 at 9:23 AM ^

I agree, who says Michigan is getting any of those other guys, but Magnuson is in no way committed to Michigan either.  Michigan leads, but there is still a lot of time.  Kalis is a good talent, and to get him would be great.  There is no reason not to try to get someone of his talent along with some of the other talent, but none of it is guaranteed.

mejunglechop

June 8th, 2011 at 2:16 AM ^

Kalis doesn't seem to realize that a bowl ban would have only a minor impact on his playing career as compared to the other likely sanctions. OSU is a sinking ship. If the program can recover in 5 years I'll be tremendously impressed. Scholarship reductions hollow out a program from the inside out, and when Kalis is a senior the 3rd and 4th year players simply won't be there for them to compete in a BCS bowl game.

turtleboy

June 8th, 2011 at 11:56 AM ^

he was already disheartened enough to decommit because of St Tressel getting canned. Fickell wont stay either. The entire sports world was lining up his replacement from day 1. He could keep his job past a year if they keep winning but once they start dropping games they'll turn on him like Cooper. The defense will be the only thing left of Tressel this season unless the NCAA rules on the other players named in the SI article before seasons end. If Both DE's after the tat-5 DE are suspended, plus the 2 starting LB's named, the starting SS, and the backup MLB and FS are benched for receiving those same benefits then the season is completely tanked, and Fickell is definitely gone. 

illinoisblue

June 8th, 2011 at 3:32 AM ^

I like Kalis a lot and he would look pretty darn good in Maize on Saturdays. I'm not sure OSU will get hit hard enough for him to waver though. I'm thinking the real shot here is if for some reason Fickell gets allegations or wouldn't be the full time coach.

Salinger

June 8th, 2011 at 7:33 AM ^

I hope Kyle isn't banking too much on Fickell being the university's long-term HC.  Mid-thirties, a remnant of a rampantly unethical Tressel regime, no HC experience at arguably one of the most coveted HC posts in the country.... I'm not one of those people who thinks Urban Meyer is a done deal, but I think its more likely that its Meyer than Fickell.

 

And does anyone else think about Ace Ventura when they hear tsio's HC's name?  

 

Fickell?  or Finkle?

 

Just sayin'

Bo Nederlander

June 11th, 2011 at 4:57 PM ^

I just talked to my uncle in Florida and apparently it's been all over the news that Urban has been documented stating publicly that he has no intention of coaching OSU. I'm starting to hear Skip Holtz rumors more and more.

This is Michigan

June 8th, 2011 at 4:09 AM ^

Even before these new allegations it seemed as if this year was going to be an audition for Fickell. Kalis might not find out if he will be the coach until mid-January, probably at the earliest late November. That doesn't give him a lot of time to make a decision before signing day.

My advice is to start looking hard at other places and revisit your OSU committment closer to when it is believed that OSU will decide whether Fickell will be permanent coach for years to come.

Who knows though, with this new info. coming out, OSU might decide to clean house.

WestSider

June 8th, 2011 at 11:25 AM ^

has ever been, is, or will be an option for OSU, because they don't get it. One scratches the other's back until the scratchee decides to jump ship like the rat who sees what is coming. From Gee, to Smith, to Tressel, to Pryor and beyond, no one there has demonstrated an ounce of accountability. So no, there were be no voluntary house cleaning.

Mr Miggle

June 8th, 2011 at 5:27 AM ^

I can sympathise with him. At least 5* players can afford to wait it out and still have a lot of options,  wonder if he would ever want to play against OSU.

Zone Left

June 8th, 2011 at 10:27 AM ^

It is really tough for him. He probably grew up wanting to be a Buckeye. It's going to be even harder for him because thw sanctions probably aren't going to be announced until after signing day.

He's going to have to take a leap of faith to remain a Buckeye.

JimLahey

June 8th, 2011 at 7:26 AM ^

I'm guessing that if Magnuson commits soon, one of our other o-line targets is going to do the same within a few weeks out of fear of losing their spot in the class.

readyourguard

June 8th, 2011 at 7:32 AM ^

He said he wants to go to Ohio State and he's still committed despite the shitstorm hovering over Columbutt.  NCAA sanctions aside, I don't see this kid changing his college choice.

 

Too bad.  I'd like another lineman who has an adverse reaction to donkeys.

clarkiefromcanada

June 8th, 2011 at 8:33 AM ^

This young man seems like he has a lot of loyalty and is, clearly, conflicted about what is going to happen to his beloved Buckeyes. 

Perhaps the most unfortunate part of the years of Tressel lying is that he perpetuated a myth of grandeur at Ohio for the local recruits. Of course, we now know that Tressel was a disingenous and perhaps pathalogical liar and that the "myth" of Ohio as a football program was built upon improper benefits and shady arrangements and was, really, nothing more than an unsustainable fabrication.

This doesn't much help people like Kyle Kalis who for years were sold the myth of "the Senator", the 9 - 1 record against Michigan (soon to be far, far less), the 2002 national championship (now irrevocably tainted) and the commitment of a pile of talented players on an annual basis. Sadly, this is the narrative that surrounded Kyle Kalis for years and has to inform the emotional side of his decision making regardless of the hard facts of 'at least' a two year bowl ban, significant scholarship reductions, significant change in football program, athletic department and potentially university leadership. Indeed, we are now hearing the term 'death penalty' being thrown around in the media and if it is true that the disassociating between Pryor's memorabilia dealer and the school was secondary to school knowledge of Pryor's activities last autumn then if it's not the 'death penalty' it will be the 'get beat down until you play worse than Purdue and Minnesota' penalty. And no, Urban Meyer, Bob Stoops or any other credible coach will not be walking into that armageddon. Kyle Kalis does not want this...he knows what's coming...but he's a loyal commit who grew up informed by the 'myth'

Now that the myth of Tressel and the fraud of Ohio continues to be further exposed (Doug Archie, your next...Raback that) it's time for Kyle Kalis to consider new scenarios...and why not the best one in Ann Arbor?

 

BlueSwave34

June 12th, 2011 at 12:11 PM ^

I live in ohio an i can tell you the fans around here were almost like hypnotized by Tressel.  I watched it change. From the early 2000's to present they had a good run no doubt. Soon everywhere you looked there were Buckeye jerseys.  People that dont know shit about football were suddenly Ohio St. fans. But its over now and now we can start kicking their ass again the way its suppose to be. But Tressel def. fooled alot of people in this state and the country. But it was a myth that has been exposed and i hope they suffer for many years.

jerseyblue

June 8th, 2011 at 8:07 AM ^

Diamond wanted to wait until after his season. He reluctantly pushed it up to September when he saw the class filling up. I don't know if he would make another jump to June/July. If Magnuson commits and there's a "Oh crap I'd better commit now" commitment I'd say it would be Thurston.

jethro34

June 8th, 2011 at 8:26 AM ^

I thought Diamond already had moved it up to the point that it could happen in the next few weeks.  Wrong?

Also, it's interesting that it sounds like Kalis fully expects at least a 2-year bowl ban, and is just hoping it's not more than that.  Maybe I'm reading into it too much, but when a 5* recruit is already saying 2 year ban, that seems pretty telling.

AC1997

June 8th, 2011 at 8:32 AM ^

This kid is an awesome talent who I would love to have at Michigan, but he sounds pretty committed. 

And to be honest, I'm okay with that.  If he's a lifetime OSU fan and has wanted to go there for a long time, I wish him the best.  If the tables were turned I would want kids to stay committed to the school regardless of what our coach did.  Good luck to him at OSU......and hope he unfortunately has to endure a long bowl ban thanks to Pryor and Tressell.

Bodogblog

June 8th, 2011 at 8:47 AM ^

He'll be fine, however it turns out. But a kid who wanted to play at OSU all his life, now hoping it's not more than a 2 year bowl ban and the interim coach sticks around. Unfortunately for him, the AD likely won't be there much longer, which means it's impossible to say if the coach will be there. It probably gets worked out before NSD, but things will be worse at that point.

Wish him all the best, wherever he ends up

Six Zero

June 8th, 2011 at 9:20 AM ^

Imagine that your son has become a legitimate blue chip prospect.  For the last ten years you've watched him work his tail off-- on the practice field, in the weight room, in the classroom, on the field, driving him from one camp to another and rearranging your entire life to help him chase his dream of being at least a D-1 if not NFL football player.

You are proud of him.  You want nothing but the best for him.

And now, he can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  The offers are pouring in, and everybody wants a piece of your kid, perhaps even clawing over each other in an attempt to sell your son the world.  Your instinctive parental Spidey-sense is probably on overload and you're being as careful and cautious as you possibly can.  After all, your son, your little boy, is wide-eyed with optimism and you're trying to allow him to enjoy some of that, even though at the same time you're trying to keep him grounded.

After all, this is the most important decision of his life.  You will never forgive yourself if you allow your son to be duped by some monstrous college program that will eat him up and spit him out.  You're choosing the men, the institution will take over for you-- your son will move away, and you'll be handing the keys, so to speak, over to this coach.  You'll be entrusting him with your son's safety, livelihood, well-being, education, and ambitions.

With that being said....... WHO ON EARTH WOULD SEND THEIR KID TO COLUMBUS, OHIO RIGHT NOW????  How could a parent possibly put their trust into that program, that leadership?  How could it ever feel like the right choice this year, and beyond??  The improprieties of the few will scar and ravage the dreams of dozens of young men for years to come-- and obviously the worst part is that the leadership of the program allowed it to go on.  All in the name of wins and TV money.

And if I'm a parent, the worst part of all is that it is NOT over.  We've been saying for a decade how crooked that place is, and the secrets will continue to pour out for years.  Perhaps for the entire stay of a 2011 commit.

Certainly my loyalties don't allow me to be non-partisan about this, but how could any parent wish that on his little son, the one who has worked so hard to get to this place?  How could you let him go off into that war zone, where futures are being destroyed with reckless abandon, and the lessons learned are that it's only wrong if you get caught?

Not for me.  Not for my son.

mmiicchhiiggaann

June 8th, 2011 at 8:46 AM ^

Maybe its just me but I want kids on Michigan who hate OSU and want to finish off their program. If Kalis loves them so much even with sanctions Hoke will find a better piece for us.

JimLahey

June 8th, 2011 at 8:51 AM ^

Kalis, Banner, Diamond, Garnett, Magnuson, Thurston....I would be happy if we got any two of those players on top of what we already have. Our LB and OL classes this year could be one for the books.

Indiana Blue

June 8th, 2011 at 9:07 AM ^

is going to be a huge influence.  A 2 year ban is what USC received, and this is much worse, bacause this IS "lack of institutional control".   I would imagine that tsio is looking at a minimum 3 year bowl ban.

AND ... IMHO, this should include NO (that's ZERO) opportunity to play for the B1G championship.  If they cannot go to any bowl, much less a BCS bowl, then they have no right whatsoever in playing for the B1G title.  The B1G commissioner is going to have to show some "balls" on this one !!!

please pass the popcorn .....

Go Blue !

Promote RichRod

June 8th, 2011 at 10:02 AM ^

any good recruit with choices would go to a school that is about to get hammered with at least a 2 year bowl ban and who knows what else.  The 2 year ban alone is 40-67% of a player's college career (assuming it begins in 2012 after investigation, appeals etc).  Why on earth would you want to miss out on that much of what is considered to be the best part of the college football experience?  Not to mention the new and unproven coaching staff, reduced competitiveness due to slashed scholarship numbers, likely transfers from top upperclassmen and other general turmoil as the NCAA turns up more and more violations.

I'd have to go with my backup option in those circumstances.

MMB 82

June 8th, 2011 at 10:15 AM ^

That kids like Kalis are the ones who will actually pay the price for all the tsio violations, while TP will now go on to get paid (legitimately, this time) for selling autographs during his bust of a career at TE in the NFL......