Article published September 02, 2009
Whitmer DE Hayes commits to OSU
By STEVE JUNGA
BLADE SPORTS WRITER
His junior football season has only just begun but Whitmer High School defensive end Kenny Hayes can already check off a choice of college on his to-do list.
The 6-foot-5˝ inch, 240-pound defensive end made a verbal commitment Monday night to accept a scholarship offer from Ohio State University.
“I've been watching Ohio State play since I was in the seventh grade,” Hayes said. “I like the way they hit, I like their defense and I want to wear the scarlet and gray.
“I'm so happy to have it done. Happy and grateful. I can focus better now on what I need to do for my team.”
A first-team All-City League selection on defense as a sophomore in 2008, Hayes said he is projected to remain at defensive end with the Buckeyes, who were the second school to offer him. The first was Illinois.
Whitmer head coach Joe Palka believes several other schools were “just about ready” to make offers to his standout junior.
“I think Michigan State, Kansas, Wisconsin and Iowa were right there,” Palka said. “The recruiting process seems to be taking place at a younger and younger age these days. It's kind of rare for a guy to commit this early, and I would say it's a credit to Kenny, to his family and to his work ethic.
“Because of those people he's stayed focused and has been able to get better.”
Hayes also was a second-team All-CL selection in basketball as a sophmore for the Panthers, and this year will team with his “little” brother, Nigel, a 6-7, 211-pound receiver on the varsity football team. Nigel is more notably projected to be a standout basketball player at Whitmer, and Kenny said that the Ohio State basketball program has already shown interest in his brother.
Palka is equally relieved about Kenny Hayes' early commitment.
“What I like about it is that he's now accountable, not only to our staff and our program, but the eyes in Columbus are on him too,” Palka said. “That will help make sure that he continues to develop as an excellent player.”
Contact Steve Junga at:sjunga@theblade.comor 419-724-6461.
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