2009 OL has Ohio State ties

Bellbrook, Ohio offensive tackle Sam Longo has the quickness and athleticism to develop into a big-time lineman before he steps foot on a college field. Two programs have expressed interest in the 6-foot-5, 250 pound prospect from the Buckeye State and Longo's ties to a Big Ten program run deep.

Longo, a rising junior and Class of 2009 prospect, is the son of Gene Longo, an Ohio State football player who graduated in 1984. Do those ties make Ohio State his early leader?

"I wouldn't really say I have a favorite this early but I do like Ohio State a lot," Longo said. "I haven't got any scholarships yet so I'll have to wait and see what happens with that before I say too much."

Ohio State and Western Michigan have expressed early interest in Longo. He attended camps at both schools this summer and he may take trips to both places again in the fall.

"Yeah, I went to both those places this summer," he said. "Coach (John) Peterson from Ohio State has talked to me and it sounds like they're going to be pretty interested in me. I'll try to go to a couple of their home games tihs fall. I talked to the head coach (Bill Cubit) from Western Michigan and they like me a lot too. They invited me up to a couple of their home games this year as well. I'll probably go up there when they play Indiana."

Longo cites academics, location and tradition as the things that will factor most heavily in his decision down the road. Longo is working hard to boost his weight to 260 pounds before the start of his junior season. He will start at both offensive and defensive tackle for Bellbrook but anticipates that he will be recruited exclusively as an offensive lineman.

Longo already bench presses 340 pounds and squats 590. He has run the 40-yard dash in as fast as 4.78 seconds.