The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Big boot leads US’ Hart to Big House
Will Hart is not a gambler. But if he is ever going to wager a bet, he will bet on himself.
A recent graduate of University, Hart had a football scholarship from Patriot League Colgate in his hands. But the 6-foot-3, 190-pounder instead chose an offer from Coach Jim Harbaugh at Michigan with the promise he can earn a scholarship on his own.
Hart is playing in the sixth annual News-Herald Senior Bowl on June 17, then will head to Ann Arbor later this summer to start his bid at earning a scholarship with the Wolverines sometime down the road.
“I’ve been competing on the biggest stages for specialists the last four years, looking to go to a big FBS school,” Hart said of his decision to walk away from a Patriot League scholarship to walk on at Michigan. “Colgate was a good opportunity and they gave me a scholarship, which I was thankful for. But once Michigan offered me, that was the level I was looking for. It just feels right.”
Onlookers at Senior Bowl practice June 13 gasped when Hart unleashed a pair of 60-yard punts. While punting isn’t generally thought of as a high point of all-star games, fans might want to pay attention when Hart gets an opportunity to show off his big right leg in the all-star extravaganza.
“I’m excited to show people what I can do on the field,” he said of playing in the Senior Bowl. “This is going to be fun, a good opportunity.”
Hart, whose family is from Cleveland Heights, grew up playing youth football. He dabbled at quarterback and receiver mostly. But come fifth grade, he gave punting a try.
Playing big-time college football was always his dream. Once he and his father, Allen, saw how well he punted from a young age, a light went on.
A friend of Allen Hart got the family in touch with area football legend Tom Orosz, a former all-Ohioan at Fairport, a former allAmerican at Ohio State and a former NFL standout with the Dolphins and 49ers.
“He said, ‘I’d be happy to work with Will,’ ” Allen Hart said.
Many an afternoon has been spent with Will punting and his father chasing down the long boots. But working with Orosz paid huge dividends.
“I owe a lot to him,” Will Hart said. “Punting is all about fundamentals, and he’s taught me so much. He is a family member to me at this point. I’m so fortunate to have the opportunity to train with him all these years.”
Unlike many, if not most, punters (and kickers), Hart doesn’t have a background in soccer. While he did play some receiver for University, having entered the school as a seventh grader, he primarily punted. With great results. As a senior, Hart was a second-team Division II All-Ohioan, averaging more than 42 yards per punt. He also kicked off for the Preppers, using a drop-kick that most area fans likely have never seen before.
For most of his senior year, he figured Colgate would be his destination. It would have been a good opportunity, having a college scholarship and a tremendous education at the Patriot League school. Then one day Michigan assistant Chris Partridge called him.
“He offered me a preferred walk-on, and I was thrilled,” Hart said. “I couldn’t stop smiling. That phone call was a dream come true.”
The Harts attended Michigan’s spring game, and Hart posed with Harbaugh at midfield in the venue affectionately called The Big House.
“I feel humbled he was offered this opportunity to play in front of more than 100,000 people every Saturday for Coach Harbaugh,” Allen Hart said. “I think within the next four years Michigan will win a national championship. This is Will’s chance to go to a Rose Bowl, win big games and help them. “I’m so proud of him.” Hart isn’t the first Northeast Ohio punter to head to Michigan. He is well aware of the career path of former Twinsburg standout Zoltan Mesko, who went on to the NFL with the Patriots after a successful career with the Wolverines.
“He’s a great punter and role model,” Will Hart said of Mesko. “That’s the goal to follow his path. I’m glad I have that opportunity now.”
Even if he has to earn his scholarship. After all, if he’s going to bet, he’s going to bet on himself.