Gahanna Lincoln High School defensive lineman Jonathon Cooper might have the highest profile among area seniors who have committed to Football Bowl Subdivision programs.That’s what happens when you’re going to play for Ohio State. Hilliard Darby quarterback Nick Powers won’t be under as large of a spotlight when he begins his college career, but what some might consider a letdown doesn’t seem like a bad consolation prize to him. After rushing for a combined 40 touchdowns the last two seasons as the Panthers extended their string of Division I playoff appearances to four, Powers was expected to sign with Ashland University on national signing day Feb. 3. Although he could have been a preferred walk-on for the Buckeyes, Powers instead will have his education paid for and get the opportunity to further his athletic career as a safety for a respected NCAA Division II program. “With my athletic and academic money combined, I’ll be getting pretty much a full ride,” Powers said. “I had six (Division II) offers, some were for quarterback and others were for safety. Ohio State offered me a walk-on for safety as well, but I chose Ashland because I loved the campus, coaches and the football program.” For those with college football aspirations, weighing the dream of playing at the highest level against competing for a lower-level program never has been more difficult. It’s a decision of prestige versus playing time, and of possibly paying your own way as a walk-on versus receiving scholarship dollars. While Ohio State is among eight schools in the state that compete in the FBS, only Dayton and Youngstown State are in the Football Championship Subdivision. The next level down is Division II, which features Ashland among its 10 Ohio football programs. Of those schools, however, seven made the move up from either NCAA Division III or the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics since 2008. …
Continue Reading: Smaller programs can be beneficial for recruits
