The recruiting process is certainly a challenge for prospects at every position but perhaps none more so than the kicking specialists. For many senior kickers, it is a wait and see type of process as schools try and juggle their scholarship offers and determine whether or not they are going to fit a kicker into the class. Gahanna (Ohio) Lincoln senior Tyler Grassman is currently in the middle of that process and the 6-foot-1, 185-pound prospect is hoping to see things pick up in the near future.



"I have an offer from Buffalo," said Grassman, when asked about his recruiting status. "I'm going on an unofficial visit to Miami (OH) on Sunday so I'm not sure what's going to happen there. I've been to a couple of Ohio State games and I've been to Illinois. I've been in contact with Toledo, Western Michigan, and Indiana."



Grassman's most recent trip to Ohio State was two weeks ago when the Buckeyes beat Wisconsin.



"It was definitely a crazy game," he said. "It was definitely a fun environment. It was fun to be a part of and it was the typical college experience that you would like to have. I had fun there and now it's just the waiting game (on an offer)."



If Grassman hopes to be a part of this Ohio State recruiting class, he may have to wait it out until late in the process as the Ohio State staff figures out if they will have room for a kicking specialist.



"I talk to Doc Tressel and Greg Gillum, those are the main people I talk to at Ohio State," he explained. "Basically right now it's a waiting game with this whole sanctions thing to see how that works out. They can't move forward on that until they figure out if they are going to lose scholarships and that might not happen until December."



Grassman's versatility is something that has caught the eye of the Ohio State coaching staff.


"They're looking at me as a punter that can also kickoff," he said. "I can also help out with field goal kicking but Drew Basil is only a sophomore and he's doing a good job this year."


Grassman has a great deal of interest in Ohio State, but right now he is keeping his options open as he hopes to collect more offers.


"Right now I'm pretty open minded," he explained. "I'm trying not to name favorites or anything because there's a lot of schools that I still have to go visit and would like to check out and you never know who is going to come in."


On the field, Grassman has played wide receiver, safety, and quarterback, in addition to his kicking duties as the Lions are currently 9-2. Grassman and company will face Pickerington Central in the second round of the playoffs on Saturday night in a re-match.



"We're actually really excited about the match-up," he explained. "Last time we played them we made a lot of mistakes that sort of cost us the game. We know that it's going to be a dogfight and we're definitely looking forward to that."

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