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National Signing Day 2024: Which central Ohio football players are heading to next level?
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- National Signing Day 2024: Which central Ohio football players are heading to next level?
(This story was updated to add new information.)
Earlier than in previous years, dozens of central Ohio high school football players signed this week to play at the next level.
The early signing period, which was moved up two weeks starting this year to relieve a crowded December recruiting calendar, began Wednesday and continues through Friday. The signing period ends before the transfer window for college players begins Monday.
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Here are central Ohio players who have signed. This information was submitted by area schools.
Pickerington North offensive lineman Ayden Annarino (51) begins to celebrate after a Division I, Region 3 quarterfinal win at Pickerington Central on Nov. 8.
Ayden Annarino, Pickerington North/Miami University
A 6-foot-3, 280-pound three-star guard , Annarino anchored an offensive line that paved the way for 360.3 yards and 31.6 points per game from the Division I, Region 3 runner-up Panthers (11-3). Annarino was named first-team all-OCC-Ohio and all-district .
Pickerington North receiver Preston Bowman secures a catch during the Region 3 final against Olentangy Liberty.
Preston Bowman, Pickerington North/Kentucky
The 6-0, 195-pounder was by far the Panthers' top receiving threat, catching 59 passes for 1,248 yards and 13 touchdowns. No other North receiver had more than 422 yards. Bowman, the OCC-Ohio's Offensive Player of the Year and first-team all-district honoree, also averaged 34.9 yards per punt and rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown.
Gahanna Lincoln's Jake Bushelman (6) defends a pass intended for Olentangy Liberty's Jake Struck during a Sept. 6 game.
Jake Bushelman, Gahanna Lincoln/Army
A 6-0, 185-pound receiver, defensive back and punter, Bushelman caught 46 passes for 516 yards and four touchdowns, ran for 237 yards and three scores and added two touchdowns on interception and kick returns. He earned first-team all-OCC-Ohio and second-team all-district in Division I as a punter, averaging 41.4 yards in 34 attempts.
Groveport’s Keishaun Calhoun knocks the ball loose from Delaware quarterback Caleb Rowe during their Division I, Region 3 first-round game Nov. 1.
Keishaun Calhoun, Groveport/Indiana
The 6-4, 245-pound three-star defensive lineman finished with 51 tackles, including 19 for loss and 7.5 sacks, along with two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and 12 bat-downs as the Cruisers (8-4) advanced to a Region 3 quarterfinal. Calhoun was named first-team all-OCC-Buckeye and all-district.
Hartley's Denim Cook (8) and Brendan Laret (86) congratulate teammate Rory Ralston (43) during a 2023 game against DeSales.
Denim Cook, Hartley/Pittsburgh
A three-star edge rusher, the 6-3, 215-pound Cook recorded 116 tackles as a junior before an injury cut his senior season short after four games. Cook was first-team all-district and all-state in Division IV in 2023.
Westerville North senior and future Ohio State lineman Jake Cook visits OSU for the Buckeyes' 38-15 win over Indiana on Nov. 23.
Jake Cook, Westerville North/Ohio State
A 6-4, 295-pound lineman ranked as a four-star prospect by Rivals and three-star by 247Sports, Cook did not allow a sack or quarterback hurry this season in anchoring a Warriors (6-5) offense that averaged 29.3 points. Cook was named first-team all-OCC-Capital and all-district in Division I.
Upper Arlington defensive back Zach Corna tackles Dublin Coffman wide receiver Amari Valerio-Hudson during an October 2023 game.
Zach Corna, Upper Arlington/Bucknell
The 5-11, 190-pound defensive back amassed 54 tackles, including 30 solo and a sack, as well as two interceptions he returned for touchdowns in helping the Golden Bears (10-3) reach a Region 3 semifinal. Corna was named first-team all-OCC-Central and all-district.
Hilliard Bradley's Terris Dudley tackles Groveport running back Raishad King during their Week 1 game.
Terris Dudley, Hilliard Bradley/North Carolina State
A 6-4, 205-pound three-star safety , Dudley had 116 tackles, including 77 solo, with two pass breakups to help lead a young Jaguars team (3-9) to a Division I, Region 2 quarterfinal. The first-team all-OCC-Central and all-district selection was committed to Toledo before switching to the Wolfpack in late November.
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Dawayne Galloway, Marion-Franklin/West Virginia
A 6-2, 180-pound, four-star do-it-all asset for the Red Devils (4-7), Galloway will play defensive back for the Mountaineers after decommitting from Purdue in early October. Galloway totaled 16 touchdowns, including one off an interception return, and 1,578 all-purpose yards. Defensively, he had 37 tackles and three pass breakups to earn first-team all-district in Division IV.
Reynoldsburg's T.J. Green stiff arms Newark's Brody Driskel during an Oct. 18 game.
T.J. Green , Reynoldsburg/Boston College
The 5-10, 180-pound defensive back recorded 29 tackles, including three for loss, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. He allowed just three completions in nine games and averaged 43.3 yards on nine kickoff returns with two touchdowns.
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Parker Hardin, Pickerington Central/Tennessee State
The 6-5, 315-pound tackle anchored the line for a Tigers (9-3) offense that averaged 41.3 points, scored 40 or more points eight times and at least 50 four times, amassed 2,476 rushing yards and threw for 2,095. Central won eight consecutive games after a 1-2 start to earn the second seed in Region 3.
Pickerington Central's Myles Harrison tackles Upper Arlington quarterback Kyle Cox during a Region 3 quarterfinal in November 2023.
Myles Harrison, Pickerington Central/Cincinnati
A 6-3, 210-pound three-star edge rusher who originally was committed to Buffalo, Harrison was the unquestioned leader of a defense that helped the Tigers reach a Region 3 quarterfinal. He had 8.5 of the team's 18 sacks – no one else had more than two – and 16 tackles for loss among his 46 stops. Harrison earned first-team all-OCC-Buckeye and second-team all-district.
Newark Catholic's Mikey Hess follows his blockers during the first day of preseason practice Aug. 1.
Mikey Hess, Newark Catholic/Dayton
The 5-11, 195-pound running back and linebacker did it all for the Green Wave (1-9), even in a rare down season. Hess amassed 930 all-purpose yards and eight touchdowns, including 89 carries for 430 yards and 12 catches for 228 yards, and on defense made 44 tackles with two forced fumbles and one interception returned for a touchdown.
Gahanna's Terrell Holcomb makes the game-clinching interception against Pickerington North in October 2023, a game that featured two 9-0 teams.
Terrell Holcomb, Gahanna Lincoln/Cincinnati
A 6-2, 210-pound linebacker recruited as an overall athlete, Holcomb earned OCC-Ohio Defensive Player of the Year after leading the Lions (9-3) in total tackles (97), solo stops (40), tackles for loss (13.5) and sacks (7). Holcomb, who also had an interception, was named first-team all-district and is graduating early to join UC.
Westerville South tight end Tyler Kielmeyer runs back to the huddle during a Sept. 17 practice.
Tyler Kielmeyer, Westerville South/Northwestern
A 6-7, 245-pound tight end who committed to the Wildcats in July, Kielmeyer alternated between blocking and pass-catching duties for South (5-6) in five games because of injury. Kielmeyer finished with 11 catches for 145 yards and a touchdown and was named honorable mention all-district in Division II.
Pickerington North's Tyson Long blocks a kick from Pickerington Central's Carson Goulet in the first half of their Region 3 quarterfinal Nov. 8.
Tyson Long, Pickerington North/Ohio University
The 5-10, 150-pound cornerback helped pace the secondary, making 36 solo tackles, 44 in all, with four interceptions and 10 pass breakups for a defense that allowed 13 points per game over its final nine games. Long, who also blocked a field goal, was named second-team all-league and honorable mention all-district.
Licking Heights' Jake Lopinto scores a touchdowns Sept. 27 against Licking Valley.
Jake Lopinto, Licking Heights/Robert Morris
A 6-0, 215-pound linebacker and running back, Lopinto finished with 100 tackles, including five for loss, a sack, four forced fumbles, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and five pass breakups for the Hornets (4-7). A first-team all-Licking County League-Buckeye and all-district selection in Division II, Lopinto also finished with 805 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns.
Pickerington North's Emy Louis Jr. (3) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second half during a Region 3 quarterfinal against Pickerington Central on Nov. 8.
Emy Louis Jr., Pickerington North/Youngstown State
The 5-11, 170-pound receiver will return to northeast Ohio for college after catching 35 passes for 422 yards and a score this year. Louis Jr. helped Massillon Washington win the Division II state championship as a junior.
Gahanna Lincoln offensive lineman Jeremy McDowell
Jeremy McDowell, Gahanna Lincoln/Army
A 6-3, 265-pound lineman named first-team all-league and second-team all-district, McDowell led the front five for an offense that averaged 378.3 yards per game and amassed 2,330 rushing yards and 1,397 passing in reaching a Division I, Region 3 quarterfinal.
One of central Ohio's top kickers, Bloom-Carroll's Treyton McKee has signed with Bowling Green.
Treyton McKee, Bloom-Carroll/Bowling Green
The 5-11, 165-pound kicker was among central Ohio's best, making 6 of 7 field-goal attempts, 58 of 60 extra points, averaging 41.5 yards per punt and 61.1 yards per kickoff as the Bulldogs (9-3) reached a Division III, Region 11 quarterfinal. McKee was first-team all-MSL-Buckeye and all-district.
DeSales defensive lineman Ty Neubert celebrates during the second half of an Oct. 25 game against Watterson.
Ty Neubert, DeSales/Ohio University
A 6-3, 250-pound two-way lineman and four-year starter who played every snap both ways the past two seasons, the Division II district Defensive Player of the Year finished with 79 tackles, including 25 for loss, 12 sacks and 11 quarterback hurries. Neubert was a starting guard for a Stallions (9-3) offense that averaged 178 rushing yards per game.
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Max Patterson, Dublin Coffman/Youngstown State
The 6-7, 270-pound offensive tackle anchored a line that helped the Shamrocks (4-9) peak late, reaching a Region 2 semifinal. Patterson earned honorable mention all-OCC-Central.
Gahanna's Preston Penn tracks down Pickerington North quarterback Landon O'Connell during an October 2023 game.
Preston Penn, Gahanna Lincoln/Youngstown State
A 6-2, 210-pound athlete who mostly played strong safety but can be utilized as a receiver, Penn had 50 tackles, including 18 solo stops and nine for loss and 2.5 sacks, as well as an interception, fumble recovery and blocked punt. Penn was named second-team all-league.
Beechcroft's Tyrell Russell runs the ball during an Oct. 11 game against East.
Tyrell Russell, Beechcroft/West Virginia
The 5-11, 175-pound Russell, a first-team all-district honoree in Division III who flipped from Toledo in November, starred on both sides of the ball for the Cougars (5-5). He rushed 94 times for 745 yards and eight touchdowns, caught 30 passes for 450 yards for two scores and had 16 tackles defensively. He returned his only interception for a touchdown.
Gahanna's Jason Smith (9) and Jake Bushelman (6) tackle Upper Arlington receiver Trent Wolpert during a Region 3 semifinal in November 2023.
Jason Smith, Gahanna Lincoln/Youngstown State
The 5-11, 170-pound cornerback and wide receiver concentrated on defense as a senior. He had 29 tackles, 13 solo, and caused a fumble this fall. Smith committed to the Penguins in late November.
Westerville North's Jonathan Stevens carries the ball during an Oct. 4 game at Westland.
Jonathan Stevens, Westerville North/Northwestern
The 6-0, 190-pound Stevens starred on both sides of the ball for North, amassing 1,086 all-purpose yards and 11 total touchdowns. As a three-star safety, he made 65 tackles and two interceptions and returned one fumble for a touchdown. Stevens was named first-team all-league and second-team all-district.
Bloom-Carroll tight end Michael Stevenson raises his arms in celebration after the Bulldogs edged Hartley 44-43 in a Division III, Region 11 first-round playoff game Nov. 1.
Michael Stevenson, Bloom-Carroll/Colgate
The 6-5, 230-pound tight end was equally adept at pass catching and blocking, making 29 receptions for 407 yards and two touchdowns and doubling as an extra lineman for an offense that passed for 2,231 yards and ran for 1,784. Stevenson was named first-team all-league and all-district.
Pickerington North running back Michael Taylor tries to get past several Olentangy Berlin tacklers during a Region 3 semifinal Nov. 15.
Michael Taylor, Pickerington North/Ohio University
The 5-10, 195-pound running back finished with 1,436 yards and 18 touchdowns on 226 carries. His rushing yards and 1,628 all-purpose yards both rank second in North history behind 2013 graduate Godwin Igwebuike (1,985 and 2,233, respectively). Taylor was second-team all-league and first-team all-district.
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Justin Thomas, Centennial/Youngstown State
Another of several local players to sign with the Penguins, the 6-6, 250-pound defensive lineman anchored the Stars' (3-7) defense, amassing 51 tackles with 15 for loss, 13 sacks, six pass deflections, one blocked punt and a forced fumble. Thomas was named first-team all-City League.
Upper Arlington’s Cal Thrush celebrates his touchdown reception against Olentangy Liberty in a Division I, Region 3 semifinal Nov. 15.
Cal Thrush, Upper Arlington/Michigan State
A 6-5, 245-pound defensive end , Thrush had 58 tackles with six for loss, four sacks and a fumble recovery. As a tight end, his only catch was for a touchdown in a Region 3 semifinal against Olentangy Liberty. Thrush was named first-team all-league and all-district.
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Bilal Tucker, Delaware Hayes/Youngstown State
A 6-3, 305-pound force on the defensive line for the Pacers (7-4), Tucker finished with 55 tackles, including 16 for loss, six sacks and two forced fumbles. He also had 10 quarterback pressures despite being double- or triple-teamed most of the time. Tucker was named first-team all-OCC-Capital and second-team all-district in Division I.
Gahanna quarterback Brennen Ward attempts a pass during a Region 3 semifinal against Upper Arlington in November 2023.
Brennen Ward, Gahanna Lincoln/Kentucky
The 6-3, 200-pound quarterback and son of Lions coach Bruce Ward is graduating early to join the Wildcats, coming off a career in which he threw for 3,682 yards and 33 touchdowns in three seasons as a starter. In eight games this fall before a season-ending injury, Ward threw for 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns with five interceptions. He earned first-team all-league and special mention all-district.
Pickerington Central's Sherone White Jr. tries to squeeze between Pickerington North defenders during their Region 3 quarterfinal Nov. 8.
Sherone White Jr., Pickerington Central/Marshall
The 5-9, 165-pound, three-star recruit was by far the Tigers' top receiver, catching 42 passes for 760 yards and nine touchdown with another 112 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. White was first-team all-league and all-district.
Olentangy's Jackson Wiley makes a one-handed catch in the second half Oct. 25 at Olentangy Berlin.
Jackson Wiley, Olentangy/Youngstown State
The 6-0, 190-pound receiver was one of several weapons for a deep Braves (8-3) offense, catching 49 passes for 565 yards and seven scores. Wiley was named first-team all-OCC-Cardinal and second-team all-district in Division I.
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Contributing: Frank DiRenna
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: National Signing Day 2024: Central Ohio high school football players
