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Discussion Topic: Article: Collin Palmer commits to the Buckeyes
Elliot Lewis added to this discussion on June 11, 2008
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Collin Palmer Commits to the Buckeyes
OSU’s second Palmer becomes first verbal in the Class of 2009
Kevin Schlosser - The O-Zone
The Ohio State wrestling team rode a wave of success last season to a second place finish at the 2008 NCAA Tournament. Since returning from St. Louis the Buckeyes have gotten nothing but good news; whether it is freestyle or Greco-Roman title, transfer students, or getting recruits. The momentum has definitely continued into the summer with the latest news that OSU received their first verbal commitment in the class of 2009 from Collin Palmer.
“I’m very happy to say that I am going to be an Ohio State Buckeye,” stated Collin Palmer when reached for an official comment.
A senior to be at Lakewood St Edward HS, Collin Palmer will join his older brother Lance Palmer on campus for the 2009-2010 school year. Both of the Palmer brothers have similar high school credentials; multi-time state champions, big tournament performers, and a St Edward education on and off the mat. Each chose to be a Buckeye because they wanted to be the best at what they do and they wanted to do it in the state of Ohio at Ohio State.
“I told him he had to find a place where your heart is going to be and you are going to feel at home,” said Lance Palmer when asked what advice he gave his brother. “For me there is nothing better than Ohio State, but he had to make his own decision.”
A three-time state champion Collin needs one more state championship to match Lance’s four titles. He will be in a position to do that this year as well as having the opportunity to become one of the first two seven-time Ohio state champions with St. Paris Graham senior David Taylor. Both wrestlers are three-time junior high state champs and three-time Ohio state champs entering their senior years; each is one of the top recruits in the state, in their grade, at their weight or however you want to look at it.
“It is big for the Buckeyes because it is something the young kids can see growing up and wrestling in Ohio. Whether they are great now or are going to be great when they get older; they are the future,” offered Lance Palmer when speaking of the impact his brother will have on the team. “Knowing that the Palmer brothers are going to be at Ohio State for awhile it should be even easier to recruit the top kids like Logan Stieber and people like that.”
Lance Palmer came in and wrestled as a true freshman; in two years he has two All-American finishes. Whether Collin can replicate or improve on that performance has yet to be determined, but it will be hard to find a bigger supporter than Lance Palmer.
“For me being a Buckeye means we are building a tradition,” commented Lance Palmer. “We want to build a powerhouse from here on out. The tradition that Iowa is bringing back is what we have started here. We are going to win a national championship at Ohio State and I am just glad to be a part of it.”
“I am one of Collin’s biggest fans so it means a lot to me to know my brother is coming here,” concluded Lance Palmer. “We are going to be on the same team for a year and he will be here to carry the tradition on when I am gone.”
Collin Palmer drove to Columbus to commit in person to the OSU staff on Tuesday morning, on the drive home he took time for an extended interview to discuss his high school career, his decision to commit to Ohio State, and his future as a Buckeye.
What Ohio wrestlers did you follow growing up?
“I always looked up to guys like Ryan Lang and Ryan Bertin. I have always followed the St. Edward wrestlers.”
You won your first state championship six years ago and have won three straight titles in high school. With more than a dozen four-time state champions, what would it mean to be one of the first to win seven straight Ohio state championships?
“I think it is pretty sweet; it means I have a chance to make history and that doesn’t always happen. I just need to keep on the right track and keep things go right, but it definitely is the goal.”
Obviously you made your own name as a wrestler, but what was it like to grow up as Lance Palmer’s little brother?
“It is pretty sweet. We have always wrestled together growing up, but once he got to high school we kind of split up. I got in there for one year with him before he went to college and then I was kind of on my own again. When we were younger we were always together and when I got to high school we were back together; so that is something I am looking forward to that next year when I go to Ohio State.”
Have you had many chances to work out with Lance since he moved to Columbus?
“We haven’t really wrestled together in a long time. When we talk we don’t really talk about the actual wrestling, we talk about everything else and that helps us both keep a good attitude and keeps our minds straight. We always talk and a lot of wrestling has to do with keeping a good attitude and always being positive.”
Did you grow up a Buckeye fan or when did you first become interested in OSU?
"I have always liked Ohio State, but really started thinking about it as a sixth grader. I am a big fan of Mitch Clark and he was coaching down there with Russ Hellickson. When they were recruiting Lance we started going down there a lot to go to football games and stuff like that.”
Since you mentioned the coaching staff, what can you say about the coaches that are there now?
“I think they are all good guys; they are all there to help all the kids out. They want all their wrestlers to be national champs and they want them all to come out of there with an awesome degree. They want to see every wrestler do the best they can. Heskett is always on people about their grades. Rosselli tells them he doesn’t care if you are a little girl he is going to make you tough. It is a great environment.”
What was it that sealed the deal with OSU?
“To be honest I wanted to wrestle with my brother. Being number two in the nation was a huge boost, but going down there and being around the coaches, the atmosphere, and having Lance there; it is just a great school, a great program and it is great to be a Buckeye.”
Did you consider any other programs?
“No.”
Are you going to take any official visits other than Ohio State?
“No I won’t. I committed to Ohio State and that is where I am going to go.”
What do you think are your best assets on the mat and how will they help you make the transition to college wrestling?
“I think when I wrestle I like to be creative. In high school wrestling it can get kind of boring sometimes. You have to keep yourself motivated, come up with new challenges, and try different things. I have been to a lot of college matches and I love to watch those guys compete. I try to incorporate what I see them do into the stuff I already do. I think it makes me a much better wrestler and that will help with the transition.”
When did you tell Ohio State you wanted to be a Buckeye?
“I committed sometime this morning between 10:00-10:30.” (Tuesday, June 10, 2008)
How did you let them know?
“I was at Steelwood with Tom Ryan, Tommy Rowlands, Lou Rosselli, Joe Heskett, and Al Pucillo. I just came down here to talk to them. This year with Lance was a little bit of a bumpy road. The coaches and my dad didn’t see eye to eye on everything, but we are getting things straightened out and I told them I am going to be a Buckeye.”
Did you come to Columbus with the intention to commit or just to talk?
“I came down with Al Pucillo. (Mike Pucillo’s father) We wanted to see what they had to offer, but as we were driving down I told Big Al that I was pretty sure I wanted to commit. As soon as we got in the room and got talking; we went over things, I heard what I needed to hear, and I told them I was going to Ohio State.”
What weight(s) will you wrestle and where do you see yourself ending up at OSU?
“I am going to be a 149 in college and am going to wrestle 140 or 145 this year.”
Do you want to wrestle right away, redshirt, or take a wait and see approach?
“I want to wrestle right away.”
What are your goals at Ohio State?
“I want to make myself the best possible student athlete I can be. I know being around being around the coaches and wrestlers at Ohio State I can definitely do that. I want to keep my grades up really high while I am there. I want to get the best degree I can so I can come out and make some good money.”
What are your long term goals in wrestling after you are done at OSU?
“I kind of want to get into my life right now, but I definitely want to keep on the mat. I don’t know about wrestling because I don’t really like freestyle much. I definitely want to get into coaching because it would be a waste for me to know everything I know and not hand it down to the younger people.”
“I think it would be pretty sweet to go to OSU and when I am done get a position as a graduate assistant and start my coaching career at Ohio State.”
As a Buckeye fan it sounds like you are describing “Paying it Forward”:
“All the coaches that I have ever dealt with have believe in that. Eric Burnett is a perfect example as a four time state champ and now a coach. I have always been around good coaches and wherever I go the coaches are there because they love the sport. They just want to give back and make the next generation better. I want to do the same thing when I get older.”
You have watched Ohio State wrestling for a number of years, what can you say about the direction the program has taken in the last few years?
“It is unbelievable for them to go for forty-fifth, to tenth, and then to second. They needed to get healthy and they needed a jump. All that they needed was talent and direction; now that things are going everyone wants to go there now.”
Logan Stieber gave a verbal to the Buckeyes two weeks ago and you committed today; is this the start of a trend of wrestlers lining up to go to OSU?
“I don’t really know why people wouldn’t be a Buckeye, but I think the best guys in Ohio need to be there because we are going to be number one.”
You were down for a number of matches this year, what can you say about the crowds at OSU?
“I think the better and better they get on the mat; the bigger the crowd we are going to see watching. It was hard to attract people to the matches when things are going downhill, but now that they are as good as they are it is only going to get better. It will be fun to be a part of it and to watch it happen.”
You have been at the last two NCAA Tournaments what can you say about the Buckeye fans that were there in St. Louis?
“The OSU crowd was more of a family this year; they are more together. We all had seats together down low in the bottom bowl and had a lot of fun. We had different tee shirts for every day. It made us feel like we were a group and we were part of the team. All of the fans were cheering for everyone. It was a great experience.”
What does it mean to represent Ohio high school wrestling as a wrestler at OSU?
“I think it is a responsibility, you have to set a good example. We want to be role models.”
What does it mean to you to say that you are now an Ohio State Buckeye?
“I have always wanted to say that. It is a dream come true.”
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Discussion Topic: Article: Collin Palmer commits to the Buckeyes
Marlo Stanfield added to this discussion on June 12, 2008
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Another great article, some interesting comments by Collin.
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