The biggest tangible swing in the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry came today when 2012 Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward offensive tackle Kyle Kalis gave U-M his commitment, according to multiple recruiting Web sites including TheWolverine.com and GoBlueWolverine.com.
A former Ohio State commitment under ex-coach Jim Tressel, the 6-foot-5, 302-pounder was among the most vocal supporters of sticking with his Buckeyes commitment. But as the tide turned and the NCAA allegations mounted, Kalis decommitted. Switching to Michigan is a major blow for OSU — Kalis is the highest-ranked recruit in U-M’s 19-player 2012 class. Kalis is rated as Rivals.com’s No. 4 offensive tackle prospect (U-M already has No. 8 in California’s Erik Magnuson) and the No. 18th player overall.
According to BuckeyeGrove.com, Kalis is the No. 1 player in Ohio.
“People aren’t surprised because it’s kind of been in the works for a while,” Scout.com Midwest recruiting analyst Allen Trieu said. “It’s very significant to get a five-star kid and take him away from one of your top rivals. And he plays in a style that Michigan wants to get back to, running draws and straight-ahead run blocking.”
Trieu said Mentor (Ohio) defensive lineman Tom Strobel, a U-M commitment, is close with Kalis and has been working on convincing him for a while. The “tipping point” came when Kalis visited U-M a few weeks ago.
Now, with Strobel and Kalis holding OSU offers but choosing the Wolverines instead, U-M has a foothold among the better players in Ohio.
“Over the last few years, Ohio State has owned their home state,” Trieu said. “There’s an opening this year, and Michigan is the school that has taken it the most. It shows that Michigan is making an effort and having an effect.”
