Signed: George Fitzpatrick helps to fill a major need at offensive tackle
The Early-Signing Period is here and Ohio State is set to once again bring in one of the country’s best recruiting classes. Lettermen Row is tracking the Buckeyes recruiting news throughout the signing period as 2022 commitments officially join the Ohio State football program. The latest Letter of Intent is in: George Fitzpatrick has signed with the Buckeyes.
COLUMBUS — Ohio State’s offensive line is in need of true tackles. The Buckeyes are getting a good one in Colorado’s George Fitzpatrick.
While the interior offensive line recruiting has been superb over the years, there have been a number of big-time misses when it comes to the tackles. Fitzpatrick signing his Letter of Intent is a big win for Ryan Day and Co.
What does this addition do for Ohio State? Let’s break it down.
Who is George Fitzpatrick?
George Fitzpatrick is a 6-foot-6, 255-pound offensive tackle who committed to Ohio State on July 9, 2021.
On3 Consensus Ranking: 225 overall, 14 OT, 2 Colorado
On3 Ranking: 154 overall, 13 OT, 1 Colorado
Hometown: Englewood, Colorado
High School: Cherry Creek
Scouting summary: Ohio State had been searching for a more traditional tackle in the Class of 2022, and the 6-foot-6, 255-pound Fitzpatrick is one of those guys. He’s one of the nation’s most athletic blockers and shows great ability to get down the field to pick off defenders at the second level. He drives through opponents and is aggressive as a run blocker at the point of attack. There’s not a lot of video with Fitzpatrick in pass protection, but his footwork is solid and his frame should easily carry 35 or 40 more pounds by the time he’s counted on by the Buckeyes. He’s raw, only playing on the offensive line for a few years, but the former lacrosse player has excellent athleticism.
How did Fitzpatrick end up at Ohio State?
Ohio State was in hot pursuit of George Fitzpatrick for some time. He didn’t make a spectacle out of his recruitment, however, so the four-star flew under the radar for much of the process.
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He visited Columbus in February and would then make a return trip for an official visit in June. It was a busy summer for Fitzpatrick as he also made official visits to Michigan, Oklahoma, Florida, and Oregon. The trip to Ohio State took place during the “Buckeye Bash” weekend, and that event clearly helped Ryan Day’s chances.
“The bar was set incredibly high,” Fitzpatrick told Lettermen Row. “Just being there that big weekend, with all the commits … that was huge for me. It was very tough for the other schools to live up to that.”
Tony Alford and Greg Studrawa were the lead recruiters for Fitzpatrick. He will have a shot to play multiple spots along the Ohio State offensive front.
