Just when you thought thing couldn't possibly get any worse for Ohio State, today the Buckeyes -- who last week vacated all of their football victories from the 2010 season in response to cheating allegations presented to them by the NCAA -- lost one of their most coveted 2012 recruits to, of all schools, arch-rival Michigan.
Kyle Kalis, an offensive lineman recruit rated five stars by Scout.com and the 18th best recruit nationwide by Rivals.com, announced Monday that he has reneged on his commitment to the Buckeyes, telling ESPN that he doesn't want to risk having to deal with the possible NCAA sanctions that Ohio State could face as a result of a cheating scandal involving players from the 2010 squad as well as former head coach Jim Tressel.
"Ohio State is a great program," he told ESPN. "I'm just not sure how long it will take them to recover. I want a solid, grounded coaching staff with a safe environment. Where there aren't such tough questions."
The commitment from the highly-rated Kalis is a tremendous coup for Michigan, who like Ohio State, will be breaking in a new head coach this season. Kalis is the highest-rated recruit new Michigan head coach Brady Hoke has pulled in during his short stay in Ann Arbor. According to the 6'5" 302 pound offensive tackle from Lakewood, Ohio, there will probably be more Ohio-based commitments to come.
"I believe the Michigan-Ohio border is now open," Kalis told ESPN. "I think you're going to see eight or nine guys from the state of Ohio going over to Michigan this year."