Gant talks senior season

After missing the playoffs last season, Ohio State linebacker commit Dallas Gant is hoping to turn that around in his last year of high school football. The Toledo (Ohio) St. John's star and his team took a tough loss on Friday night, falling 31-0 to undefeated Whitmer.

Gant is the leader of a very young St. John's team that is adjusting to a new coaching staff and he is staying patient as all of the pieces come together. Individually, Gant's added strength in the off-season is evident.

"(The season) is going OK," said Gant. "We've got a lot of young, talented guys and a new coach so we are getting used to things and we will be fine. I feel a lot stronger and faster this year. I think my fourth year playing varsity helps with that."

With a 2-2 record, St. John's has played a very tough early season schedule. Gant is hoping that his team can hit its stride at the right time. He is confident that the pre-season goals are still attainable.

"We just need to keep playing hard and get everyone to do their job," he continued. "If we do that, then we are the best team in our league and can win all the rest of our games."

On the Ohio State end of things, Gant was unable to make it to the Buckeyes' showdown with Oklahoma last week but he is hopeful he will be on campus in the near future for a game, likely at some point during the October Big Ten slate.

"I haven't made it to any games so far," he explained. "But I plan to make it down for one soon."

Gant is looking at making his official visit to Ohio State after the season, likely at some point in December. In the mean time he is hoping to help add a little more Ohio flavor to the 2018 Ohio State recruiting class.

"I'm excited that we got Blue (Smith) and I'm trying to get more Ohio kids like (Tyreke) Smith and (Jackson) Carman," he added.

Gant recorded half a dozen tackles and a sack in Friday night's game.