Mentor’s Nick Samac commits to MSU

He is the second area player to commit to play for the Spartans in the last two seasons.

A year ago, Nick Samac was about to become a junior offensive lineman at Mentor High School.

He wasn’t a starter — yet — and he wasn’t sure of his position. Like many teenagers, he was still growing.

How things have changed for the Mentor senior in the last 12 months. It all came to a head May 27, as Samac verbally committed to play football at Michigan State.

He’s the second area player to commit to play for the Spartans in the last two seasons. Almost a year ago, Chardon linebacker Chase Kline committed to play for MSU.

To say Samac is thrilled wouldn’t do the word justice.

“It feels like Christmas for me,” said Samac. “That’s exactly how it feels, but this is just the beginning. It’s awesome. I never really thought I would be in this position.”

Samac is the third Mentor player in his class to commit to an FBS school. Teammates Noah Potter, a defensive lineman, and Ryan Jacoby, a left tackle, previously committed to play for Coach Urban Meyer at Ohio State.

FBS schools had been on Potter and Jacoby for a few years, while the interest on Samac didn’t heat up until he emerged as a starter last fall.

“Going into June of last year, I wasn’t even a starter but I showed I was worthy,” said Samac. “I started gaining weight, and grew a bit. So yeah, that’s helped.”

Samac is now a shade under 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds. He’s grown two inches and gained 40 pounds in the past 12 months.

“And I think he’s still growing,” said Mentor coach Steve Trivisonno.

Trivisonno said Samac will play right tackle this fall after playing left guard on the varsity in 2017. He might not play either position in college.

“I think he can play any position (in college) except for left tackle,” said Trivisonno.

Samac said MSU offensive coordinator Jim Bollman and offensive line coach Mark Staten envision him as a center in college.

“I think I’m capable of playing different positions, but right now I’m also learning center,” said Samac.

His total haul of FBS offers is at 23, including all but two of the MidAmerican Conference schools. Big Ten schools Rutgers and Indiana also offered. But when Michigan State came into the picture, it was a bit of a game-changer for Samac.

“When they offered, it kind of opened my eyes,” he said. “I thought, ‘Why not strive for that?’ ”

Michigan State offered Samac in late April after an unofficial visit there. He will make his official visit to MSU on June 11, and was possibly ready to make his decision shortly after that. That changed on May 27.

“I just felt now was the time,” said Samac.

Samac