Schools

Urban Meyer's Success Plays Key Role in Shaker Tackle's Ohio State Commitment

Munger considered other schools, but OSU's 12-0 season sealed the deal

In Donovan Munger's eyes, one aspect of The Ohio State University set it apart from the other schools on the two-way tackle's short list — Coach Urban Meyer.

"What stood out about Urban Meyer was very simple," Shaker Heights football coach Jarvis Gibson said. "If this guy can come (to OSU) in less than a year and go 12-0 with players who weren't even recruited by him, what is he going to do with players he recruited who do fit his system?

"That alone speaks volumes about Urban Meyer."

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Munger verbally committed to Meyer's Buckeyes after visiting Columbus this weekend, The Plain Dealer reported. Gibson said Munger is unwinding from his trip and prefers not to field interviews at this time.

Munger also visited UCLA and had been considering schools like Georgia, Michican State and Tennessee.

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Gibson said the 6-4, 285 lb. star was recruited to OSU as a defensive tackle, but had no preference as to which side of the ball he hoped to play on in college. Munger was named to the Associated Press first-team as an offensive tackle following Shaker's 8-2 season.

"It didn't matter what school he was going to, he was gonna play," Gibson said. "Donovan's just that kind of player."

Scouting service 247Sports rates Munger as a four-star recruit and the 21st best defensive tackle in the nation.

"Physically, the Buckeyes are getting a player with the intangibles to be dominant," columnist Andrew Kulha wrote on The Bleacher Report. "His size is ideal, but he backs that up with great fundamentals and technique. He plays with low pad level, gets a great jump off the ball and is always driving his feet (as both a blocker and a defender in his highlights)."

Gibson said Shaker Heights will host a National Letter of Intent Day celebration for its football players in February. He believes six of his players could play college football, though no others have committed to a school yet.


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