Buckeyes 2016 class gets stronger
The class of 2016 crop in Ohio is a good one and Ohio State landed another one of the state's elite juniors on Friday in Gahanna (Ohio) Lincoln defensive end Jonathon Cooper. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound prospect chose Ohio State over Kentucky, Michigan State, and Notre Dame, choosing to stay home with the Buckeyes.
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"I really liked a lot of college campuses but I felt something at Ohio State," said Cooper. "I felt like it was the place for me. It's really close to home and the coaches are great. Watching their defensive line dominate this year has been great."
Cooper had actually given the news to the Ohio State coaching staff before the Buckeyes' 56-17 victory over Rutgers last month but chose to wait to make his decision public until it was closer to the end of his high school season.
Cooper was offered by Ohio State back in July after an impressive performance at the Friday Night Lights camp. That momentum picked up from there as he has put together an outstanding junior season which saw offers from the likes of Michigan State and Notre Dame, among others.
What also changed at the Ohio State Friday Night Lights camp was his main recruiter for Ohio State who provided a fresh outlook on where the big-time talent may ultimately end up playing on the defensive side of the football.
"Coach (Larry) Johnson is one coach that I had a really good relationship with," he explained. "At first coach (Luke) Fickell was recruiting me as a linebacker and then after camp coach Johnson is the one who took over recruiting for me. We just built a really good relationship from there."
Ultimately, Cooper now gets to play for the team he followed growing up and that can't be understated.
"It's an amazing feeling," he said. "Growing up in Ohio, watching them since I was a kid. My favorite player was always Troy Smith. It's going to be amazing playing for them at a place that I was a fan of. It's just a great feeling."
Cooper is the fourth member of the 2016 Ohio State class, all four prospects hail from the Buckeye State as he joins Sciotoville East offensive lineman Tyler Gerald, Maple Heights tight end Kierre Hawkins, and Hubbard athlete George Hill.
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