Motivated Gill returns to the field
Ohio State commit Jaelen Gill had high hopes for his junior season, but those hopes came crashing down early in the second game of the year as the electric playmaker was sidelined with a broken fibula. The past 11 months have felt like an eternity for the Westerville (Ohio) South star, but on Wednesday morning he was able to return to action and those months of pent up frustration were unleashed on Central Crossing High School.
Gill scored four touchdowns (two were called back due to penalties), and picked off two passes during 7-on-7 period, while looking as fast and explosive as ever in the Wildcats' first scrimmage.
"It felt real good," said Gill. "This was my first time in real action against another opponent since week two of last season. I've been waiting to strap up and go against another team, this is what I've been waiting and working for so I was really excited to be out here."
On the first play of live 11-on-11 action, Gill took a jet sweep around the right end and raced 40 yards to the end zone. He would score on the first play, again from 40 yards out, of the second offensive series as well.
"It felt good, I was confident," he said of that first carry. "We have a lot of plays that I'm confident about and I'm confident in our team. As soon as I got the ball I knew it was a touchdown, I got great blocking from my teammates."
The most interesting thing about Gill's big day is the variety of ways in which he impacted the game. From the safety position to dotting the I at running back, to lining up next to the quarterback in the shotgun, to playing wide receiver.
"I'll be everywhere this year," he said, of his season goals. "I'm not going to give full details, but you saw a little bit of it today. There's still a lot more, we didn't show everything today. I'm excited about my role this year."
Gill was also physical, both as a runner and a defender. There were no jitters coming off a serious injury.
"Not at all," he said, when asked if he felt nervous about taking that first hit. "A lot of people and my doctor and everything have been telling me that when I first go out that I would be nervous and thinking about it but I haven't thought about it at all. Not since I was competing in 1on1s at camps or track or baseball, I really haven't thought about it."
During his high school career, Gill has taken a lot of pride in the tradition at Westerville South. A tradition that the Wildcats haven't always lived up to in recent years. He wants that to change as a senior captain.
"Playoffs and a state championship," he said. "I'm just trying to be the best teammate that I can be this year and hopefully we can make a run into the playoffs."
New head coach Matt Christ, Gill's 3rd different head coach in four years, has lit a fire under the program according to Gill.
"Everybody bought in from day one," he said. "We've just been waiting to have coaches that really get on us. We've been disciplined and well organized and I'm excited about the season. We're not really going to say anything or make any predictions, we're just going to let our play do the talking."
On Wednesday morning, Gill's play spoke loud and clear.