DaytonDailyNews.com

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE — Jim Tressel knew he'd be showered with adulation when he made an appearance here before about 2,000 base personnel and their families, but the Ohio State coach felt somewhat sheepish about being on the receiving end of all that applause.

"It's a little embarrassing," he said. "It should be the other way around. I should bring about 1,000 of our players over and have them cheer (for the military).

"That's why, when they came back home, we want them to meet our players and put (our) hands together for them and hug them. While we may get some visibility, they're the ones doing the job, and they're the ones we need to keep reminding our young people about, that even though they don't make SportsCenter, they're the heroes."

Joined by his wife, Ellen, and graduated linebacker Marcus Freeman, Tressel climbed into the cockpit of a fighter jet, signed a slew of autographs and expressed his appreciation to the Wright-Patt community during the event, which was held in a giant hangar.

Tressel also is gearing up for a coaches' tour of Iraq and Afghanistan in a couple of months (the dates are being kept secret for security reasons), joining Texas' Mack Brown, Mississippi's Houston Nutt, UCLA's Rick Neuheisel, Wake Forest's Jim Grobe and Air Force's Troy Calhoun.

"I'm not exactly sure where we're going," Tressel told the throngs during his brief speech Monday. "It's kind of like you sometimes — you just go where they send you."

Tressel was making more than just a cameo at Wright-Patt, getting shuttled through a series of meet-and-greets before mingling with the masses.

"When coach Tressel comes down and spends a half-day with them just to hang out, meet them and take pictures, that's huge for morale," Col. Brad Spacy said. "It shows them why they're here, that people out there who are important or even famous appreciate what they do."

Freeman, a Wayne High School graduate, said he didn't need much prodding to tag along with Tressel.

"My dad was in the military for 26 years. This is home for me," Freeman said. "When you see those people in uniforms, you have big respect for what they do and how they defend our country. It puts life in perspective."

Freeman is projected to be a second-round pick in the NFL draft, having turned in impressive 40-yard dash times in the 4.5 range for pro scouts. He won't know his fate, though, until April 25, and the wait has been agonizing.

"The year went so fast, but after the bowl game until now, it seems like a long time," he said. "Going through the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine and (OSU's) pro day, it's been a long period. You hear so many things, and you try to block it out. Every question you get is, where are you going to go? And you just don't know. It could be one of 32 teams.

"But it's exciting. You realize a childhood dream you have is coming to reality."