He's Not Royalty - He's A Buckeye

Ohio State gained a commitment from defensive back SirJo Welch. Welch talks about why he committed early and which schools had offered him a scholarship.

Sirjo Welch, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound, defensive back has emerged in the talent rich Buckeye State as one of the top prospects in the Midwest.

Welch preps at Columbus (Ohio) Beechcroft and college recruiters didn’t leave that high school without offering Sirjo a scholarship during the May Evaluation period.

“The college coaches loved Sirjo’s intensity,” said Beechcroft head coach Tom Dunlap.

“Sirjo is always involved in the play. He plays safety and he’s a big hitter that plays sideline to sideline.

“Sirjo is like a bullet. You’ll see a play develop and you won’t be able to blink your eyes and Sirjo is making the tackle.

“Every college coach that came through here in May looked at (Welch) his highlight tape and offered a scholarship.”

Welch ended his recruitment early by deciding to stay home and play for the defending national champions.

“It was getting to stressful,” said Sirjo Welch. “I received my offer from Ohio State and just committed. I wanted to get it out of the way.

“When I was younger, I didn’t think about it to much as far as being an Ohio State fan.

“Its reality now. Ohio State has a great program and I won’t have to go away from home to play football.”

Welch is also a very talented basketball player. He plays safety for Beechcroft and is being recruited by the Buckeyes as a secondary prospect.

Sirjo Welch was offered his first scholarship by Iowa this past March. Michigan State, Maryland, Wake Forest, Indiana, Minnesota and all the MAC schools this month.