The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Perry lineman Early commits to Kent State
Perry senior lineman Zach Early decided to get his college commitment done on the first day of practice, committing to Kent State. “It just felt like home when I went to camp there,” he said.
Zach Early celebrated the first day of fall football camp by announcing where he is going to college.
A 6-foot-5, 280-pound offensive tackle for the Perry football team, Early announced July 30 he has accepted a football scholarship to Kent State.
Early chose Kent State over offers from Bowling Green and Ohio University. Cincinnati was also in the mix, he said, though the Bearcats had not offered a scholarship.
He didn’t want to wait, after spending a day at Kent’s camp last week.
“It just felt like home when I went to camp there,” Early said. “I feel like I can go in and contribute early. I’m excited.”
Early is the first player from Perry to get an FBS (Division I) scholarship since Luke Farrell signed with Ohio State three years ago. Farrell is now a redshirt sophomore tight end and will go into fall camp later this week slated as the Buckeyes’ starting tight end.
“I called Coach (Brian) Cochran after practice today,” Early said of Kent State’s defensive line coach. “I let him know I wanted to commit before the season started. He welcomed me and I said I was going to commit there.”
Early said he plans on majoring in business. He said Kent’s business school was also a draw for him.
“Ever since my freshman year of high school, I have wanted to play on the college level,” Early said. “This decision takes a lot of pressure off of me going into the season. I stressed over it all summer.”
Early is not only an imposing figure on the offensive line, but he also benches 335 pounds and squats 485 pounds. Coach Matt Rosati credited Early for “transforming his body” over the last few years to turn into the powerful offensive lineman he is.
“Zach has come a long way from his freshman year to senior year,” Rosati said. “He’s worked really hard to turn himself into a Division I lineman. He’s a stud. We are looking forward to seeing him do his thing this year.”