Among hundreds of high school football players March 31 at Massillon (Ohio) Washington’s Paul L. David Athletic Training Center for The Opening Regional Canton, Blake Fisher easily stood out.
During 1-on-1 drills, the 6-5 1/2, 336-pounder dominated defensive linemen, stopping them dead in their tracks as they scrambled for ways around him.
Culminated by close matches on three snaps against Port Huron (Mich.) Northern 2020 four-star end Braiden McGregor (6-5 1/2, 248), the 2021 offensive tackle embraced the competition.
“He’s a good guy, he’s a good player,” Fisher told BSB. “It was good to compete against him and all the other guys. They’re really good guys. It’s great to be able to compete against the best. That was really my intent in coming here, to see where I’m at.
“The first one, I overset. I kicked back too far. He went inside. The last one, it was kind of a stalemate to the end. But he’s quick with his hands. He’s quick and he’s tall. So he knows how to use his leverage.”
Port Huron (Mich.) Northern 2020 four-star defensive end Braiden McGregor (6-5 1/2, 248) and Avon (Ind.) High 2021 offensive tackle Blake Fisher (6-6, 300). Strong competition between the two Ohio State targets during the end of 1-on-1 reps. pic.twitter.com/b8cXDnteCs
— Garrett Stepien (@GarrettStepien) March 31, 2019
Like McGregor, Fisher is in possession of an Ohio State offer.
In fact, the Buckeyes extended Fisher’s somewhat recently Dec. 12.
OSU’s move came eight days after two-year offensive coordinator/quarterbacks Ryan Day was named successor to former head coach Urban Meyer (2012-18) Dec. 4.
Ohio State offers Avon, Ind., 2021 offensive tackle Blake Fisher. The 6-6, 300-pounder has blown up the past month with offers from Michigan State, Florida State, Missouri, Michigan, Oregon, Penn State and Vanderbilt. https://t.co/atNWVZuIEW
— Garrett Stepien (@GarrettStepien) December 13, 2018
With offensive line coach Greg Studrawa and offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Kevin Wilson involved once the offer came, Fisher remains on Ohio State’s recruiting radar, although talks between the massive offensive tackle and the Buckeyes appear to have cooled slightly since the winter.
“I haven’t really had too much communication with them,” said Fisher, who remains interested as he navigates his recruitment. “So we’ll see, see where that takes me.”
While he sorts through his growing list of offers and schedules visits, Fisher hopes to make a return trip to Columbus, where OSU made an impression with Studrawa among the recruiters.
“I have met him,” Fisher said. “He’s a good guy. Pretty cool, funny, hilarious, but he knows how to get the business.”
Avon (Ind.) High 2021 offensive tackle and Ohio State target Blake Fisher (6-6, 300). pic.twitter.com/SgAmKO5img
— Garrett Stepien (@GarrettStepien) March 31, 2019
Before he bulked his offer list with Louisville (April 16), Alabama (April 23), Duke (April 29), Kentucky (May 1), Oklahoma (May 6), LSU (May 10) and Boston College (May 11), Fisher visited Northwestern (April 4) and Michigan (April 6) early last month.
“Northwestern, first off, academics (are a priority),” Fisher said. “That’d be huge with any school I go to. I want to make sure I’ll be able to succeed (off the field) when it comes down to academics. I mean, they’re a great program. Coach (Pat) Fitzgerald’s a great coach. I still am yet to meet the offensive line coach (Adam Cushing), so I will be happy to be able to do that. Michigan, they’re a good academic school and I have a good relationship with all the coaches. They look out for me and make sure I’m doing good at all times.”
Without plans to camp, Fisher’s summer schedule does not currently include Ohio State, but that could change.
“I’m interested in everybody, wherever it comes,” Fisher said. “First off, it’s a blessing to be able to have all the offers that I have. So just keep my eyes and ears open to everybody that tries to come around and be in my ear.
“I’ll keep getting stronger, definitely keep getting stronger. I’ll keep working on my craft, my technique and really just keep pushing — pushing my teammates — because I want to win a state championship at Avon. So my drive is to keep pushing and get us to that point.”
