First offer in for Long

One of the most active underclassmen on the camp and combine circuit this off-season was Westerville (Ohio) South class of 2014 tight end Darryl Long. Last week, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Long picked up his first offer of the recruiting process.

"It was from Ohio University and it was exciting," Long said. "It feels like you are waiting forever for that first one, and now that it has finally come you just want to work harder to get more and do the best that you can do."

Based on the amount of college interest Long is receiving, the Ohio offer will likely not be his last. He has had consistent contact with Bowling Green, Illinois, Penn State, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Pittsburgh, Louisville, Kentucky, Indiana and Vanderbilt.

"I feel Pittsburgh and Illinois are the schools I've been in contact with the most," Long said. "I have been talking with their coaches and they seem pretty excited about my film and what I can do. I know [Illinois'] coach [Alex] Golesh has seen it and the Pitt coaches I'm pretty sure have seen the film too."

Long made an unofficial visit to Illinois for a game earlier this fall, and has also been to games at Ohio State and Louisville.

"I went up to Illinois when they played Penn State," Long said. "I loved it and the campus was real nice. The coaching staff looked real ready for the game and it seemed like a fun place to play football."

A trip to Duke was also being worked on, but did not come to fruition. Long is still trying to make his way down to Durham for a game before the season is out.

"Where it is, the weather is pretty nice," Long said of Duke. "I've always wanted to go to Carolina and it seems like a school I would be interested in. They are on the rise in the ACC and have been playing pretty good. It is a great academic school as well, so I just want to see how the campus is."

First, though, Long is looking to lead his Westerville South team deep in the Ohio state playoffs. They kick off the first round this Saturday against Hilliard Darby Saturday in first round. On the season, Long has recorded 24 catches for 424 yards and four touchdowns.