Mentor’s Bischof headed to Akron

LB will be preferred walk-on

You can’t put a price tag on a dream.

Kyle Bischof has a firm grasp on that notion.

A senior linebacker at Mentor, Bischof had a multitude of Division II college football offers — 10 of them to be exact. The scholarship money would have come in handy.

But the 6-foot, 220-pounder had a dream of bigger things.

With that in mind, Bischof announced on Feb. 3 he is taking a preferred walk-on offer from the Akron Zips.

There’s no scholarship money — yet. Bischof hopes to earn that some day.

What he has is a shot. Which was his dream from Day 1.

“This has been my dream ever since I was a freshman,” Bischof said. “I wanted to go to a Division I program. When they offered me the PWO, I knew this was my chance. I know it’s tough. I know it’s going to be hard to earn playing time. But with the work ethic I have, I am confident that I’m going to earn my time.”

Bischof chose Akron’s PWO offer over a similar one from Robert Morris. He had Division II offers from Gannon, Lake Erie, Wheeling Jesuit, Valparaiso, Stetson, Marist, Cincinnati Christian, Clarion, Siena Heights and Concordia.

Bischof said when he visited Akron, he fell in love with everything, from InfoCision Stadium to the practice facility to teammates, coaches and atmosphere.

He will major in chemical engineering.

“Math and science are my thing,” he said.

Bischof isn’t the only college football player in the family. His brother, Ryan, will enter his senior year of football this coming fall at Edinboro University.

Kyle said he and his brother grew up competing against each other in everything football, basketball and baseball to kick-ball and video games. The competitiveness, coupled with unbridled support for one another, pushed both to be their best.

“He really wanted me to take this opportunity at Akron,” Kyle said. “I’ve got God on my side. I believe this is his calling for me.”

Bischof said he “loved every second” of his time at Mentor. In his three years with the Cardinals — 2 1/2 in the starting lineup — the Cardinals went 49-5-1.

He helped lead Mentor to a Division I state semifinal this year, where the Cardinals lost to Pickerington Central, 28-21.

“Not a day goes by that I don’t think of my last two games, that overtime with against St. Edward and the loss to Pick Central,” he said. “They’re memories I’ll never forget. All the bonds I developed at Mentor, I love them all.”