NEXT GAME
Ohio State at Virginia Tech, 8 p.m. Monday, ESPN, 1410
Urban Meyer’s first recruit, defensive tackle Tommy Schutt, took a roundabout route to Ohio State four years ago.
Even though he’s from Glen Ellyn, Ill., he grew up a Buckeye fan because he respected the program’s tradition and was ready to commit to Ohio State after visiting campus as a sophomore. He remembers his dad wanting him to take more visits and wouldn’t let him pull the trigger.
Then Jim Tressel lost his job. The uncertainty at Ohio State caused Schutt to commit to Penn State. He was Penn State’s top recruit in the class of 2012, but he switched to OSU in December 2011, not long after the news of the Jerry Sandusky scandal broke.
Schutt, a five-star prospect ranked as high as No. 47 in the country, committed to the Buckeyes two weeks after Ohio State hired Meyer.
“Obviously, the unfortunate stuff that happened at Penn State led me to leave there,” Schutt said. “Coach Meyer taking the job here with the reputation he had and his past history of success, it was kind of an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”
Schutt’s journey to the starting lineup has featured just as many twists and turns. Ohio State released its first depth chart of the 2015 season Tuesday. For the first time, the 6-foot-3, 290-pound defensive tackle Schutt enters the season as a starter.
Schutt has appeared in 32 games the past three seasons but has made only one start, in 2013 against Illinois. His second start comes Monday at Virginia Tech.
“There were times I kind of questioned my ability and was down at times,” Schutt said. “I’ve always had my teammates to pick me up.”
Schutt appeared in 15 games last season as a backup to Centerville graduate Michael Bennett. Earlier in his career, injuries cost him playing time. He missed the first six games in 2013 with a foot injury.
“Being hurt a little bit and battling through injuries is just part of the game,” Schutt said, “but it’s something that’s really tough to deal with. It can really lower your confidence not being able to be on the field with your guys, missing practices, missing workouts. I’m glad to be back healthy and ready to go.”
Schutt enters his senior season with 17 career tackles. He will start alongside tackle Adolphus Washington, another player from the class of 2012. Washington has 93 career tackles.
“I would say the biggest thing for me throughout my career has been consistency,” Schutt said. “I’ve definitely shown flashes of making plays and being an effective player. But sometimes I let down and don’t play the way I want to. I’m finally at a point where I can go play every game at the same level.”
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