Ohio defensive end commits to Lions

By JOHN GIBLIN
Collegian Staff Writer

In what many recruiting experts consider the "most aggressive early commitment campaign ever pieced together," the Penn State football team has added yet another verbal commitment to recruiting class of 2000 in Sam Ruhe.

Ruhe, a 6-foot-5 245 pound defensive end from Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, chose to attend Penn State Thursday, ending the whirlwind courting process.

"I am real happy with the whole Penn State situation," Ruhe said. "I feel real good about position coach Larry Johnson, I like the campus setting, and I really like the aggressive style the Penn State defense plays."

Ruhe is touted as one of the top football recruits in the Midwest by numerous publications. He is ranked among the top 100 players in the country by recruiting expert Tom Lemming, while SuperPrep Magazine ranks him as the No. 14 defensive lineman.

The defensive end is a fierce worker both on and off the field. His eight sacks and 88 tackles, 11 for losses, earned him all-state honors last year. He carries a 3.5 grade-point average in the classroom and scored 1260 on his SAT.

"I have good agility, quickness, and use my hands well," Ruhe said. "I play hard on every play - give 100 percent."

Ruhe had also considered Michigan, Notre Dame and home-state Ohio State.

Before committing to the Nittany Lions, Ruhe made unofficial visits to Ohio Sate, Notre Dame, Northwestern and Michigan. He had also received offers from Michigan State, Kentucky and Louisville.

"The Penn State coaches told me I would have the opportunity to come in and make an impact immediately," Ruhe said.

"I made a trip there and really liked it. I liked (head coach) Joe Paterno and the position coach (Johnson). I like the way Penn State plays its ends - they let them be aggressive."

In addition to his unofficial visits this summer, Ruhe also wanted to attend football camps at Notre Dame, Ohio State and Michigan.

He participated in Notre Dame's two-day camp June 15-16, and later attended the Nike Training Camp at Ohio State June 21-22.

"It was pretty fun at Ohio State, but I got a little banged up," Ruhe said. "An offensive lineman landed on my head and I didn't feel so great, so I decided not to go to Michigan's camp (June 23)," Ruhe said. "After I got hurt a little at Ohio State's camp I just didn't feel like it."

Ruhe has run the 40-yard dash in 4.60 seconds, and has bench pressed 330 pounds.

"Sam has excellent speed for his size and is very aggressive and tough," Lemming said. "He takes on blockers well and goes all out on every play."

Besides the possibility to play his first season in Happy Valley and his affinity towards the coaching staff, Ruhe also listed the college-town setting as a reason why he chose to attend Penn State.

"I felt comfortable at the school and I like the campus," Ruhe said. "It seems to be integrated into the town."