By: Mark Stetson (TheLantern.com) —
There is something a little different about Reid Fragel.

It isn’t his 6-foot-8 frame, which is relatively standard for a tight end recruit coming to Ohio State. It’s the fact that he is from that state up north, and will be crossing enemy lines to play for the Buckeyes next fall.

“Initially I got some flak for choosing Ohio State, but after a while it was just accepted,” Fragel said.

Fragel and wide receiver James Jackson will be the only Michiganders in the 25-player recruiting class, but nine other players from the class will come from outside Ohio.
“It shows that Ohio State can really cast a pretty wide recruiting net across states they want to get at,” said Kevin Noon, publisher of buckeyegrove.com.

For Fragel, the decision to commit to Ohio State was an easy one.

“Ohio State stood out in every Buy Levitra Online aspect when I was looking at schools,” he said. “What it came down to ultimately was where I would fit in best position-wise, and there really isn’t anything not to like about Ohio State.”

With his large frame, Fragel may be asked to continue the recent trend of OSU tight ends being used primarily as blockers.

“I see he definitely has the size to be that monster blocker,” Noon said. “He’s got some room on that frame to hang some more weight.”

Fragel, rated the No. 11 tight end prospect by rivals.com, had 16 catches as a senior at Grosse Pointe South high school while battling through a thumb injury.

“I had to have three pins in it for six of my nine games,” Fragel said. “I had to play offensive tackle with a club on it for a few games.”

Jake Ballard will return next season and is likely to fill the starting tight end spot left by the departure of Rory Nicol, but Noon says depth at the position will be key.

“With the physicality of the game you have to be prepared to have guys come in,” he said. “If someone gets hurt, [Fragel] could be pressed into service.”

Michigan State, Purdue, Maryland, Miami (Ohio) and Cincinnati all offered Fragel scholarships, and Michigan had started to show interest before Reid made his decision. The decision process didn’t take long, as Fragel verbally committed to Ohio State in May 2008.

“I can’t wait for the first time coming into the Horseshoe,” Fragel said. “It feels amazing to be a Buckeye and I’m glad to be a part of a team with such great guys with the same dreams and goals as me.”

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