Springboro kicker Kuhbander commits to Northwestern

In three seasons, the 5-foot-9, 165-pounder has made 25 of 36 field goals and 151 of 163 extra-point kicks.

“He shows elite level leg strength,” one scouting report said. “He is in line to be one of the top players in the 2017 class. Kuhbander has special talent.”

Springboro (9-3) beat Mason 42-21 in the first round of the Division I playoffs and lost 52-21 to D-I state runner-up Wayne in the second round.

• Centerville grad Ifeadi Odenigbo is a 6-3, 250-pound senior defensive end at Northwestern. He should contend as a starter this coming season after posting a career-high 18 tackles and four sacks last year.

• Cornerback Nick VanHoose, a Graham grad, was a four-year starter for Northwestern and completed his eligibility after last season. He was not chosen in the NFL draft but was among the top-rated free agent corners available this summer.

• Kuhbander joins a growing list of area seniors who have verbally committed. Miamisburg senior offensive lineman Josh Myers committed to Ohio State two years ago, the first to do so for the Buckeyes’ recruiting Class of 2017. He’s considered among the top offensive linemen in the nation.

Other area seniors who have committed are Centerville receiver/athlete Colin DeBord (Bowling Green) and Piqua running back Darien Tipps-Clemons (Michigan State).

DeBord should be in contention to take over as the Elks’ quarterback following the graduation of Jacob Harrison (Navy). DeBord had 25 catches for 440 yards (17.6) and scored eight touchdowns last season.

Tipps-Clemons is among the Greater Western Ohio Conference’s top returning running backs after rushing for 1,664 yards (7.0) and scoring 24 TD’s last season. He’s projected to play linebacker at MSU.

• At least two area juniors have committed among the Class of 2018. Springfield DE Leonard Taylor is committed to Michigan as is former Springfield teammate and linebacker Antwuan Johnson, who has transferred to Dunbar.

Wayne junior WR Christian “Blue” Smith is high on the national recruiting ranks. OSU, Michigan and Penn State are among the Big Ten programs to have made him offers.