2012 Season Countdown: #45 Kyle Kalis
Kyle Kalis |
Name: Kyle Kalis
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 304 lbs.
High school: Lakewood (OH) St. Edward’s
Position: Offensive tackle/guard
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #67
Last year: Kalis was in high school. No stats are available.
Final TTB Rating: 95
Kalis was one of the more intriguing prospects in the whole class of 2012. He originally committed to childhood favorite Ohio State in September of 2010 during the fall of his junior year. But in July of 2011, he had grown disgruntled with the direction of OSU’s program and committed to the Buckeyes’ arch rival. He was selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, where he played offensive guard instead of his normal tackle position.
Most observers (including me) believe Kalis is the most college ready of the four freshman offensive linemen. He already has the size of a college lineman, and his play suggests that he’s pretty close in the strength department, too. As the son of a former NFL offensive lineman (Todd Kalis) and a disciple of LeCharles Bentley, he has pretty good technique, too. The starting left guard position is unresolved with fifth year senior Elliott Mealer and redshirt sophomore walk-on Joey Burzynski battling it out, but there’s also an opportunity for a freshman like Kalis to work his way into the lineup. The coaches stated that Kalis would begin working at right tackle, but Michael Schofield played tackle, too, and he started most of the season at left guard. Regardless of who wins the starting position at the beginning of the season, it’s a near certainty that one or more freshmen will see the field this fall. And as we learned from the Desmond Morgan situation last season, the coaches won’t hesitate to toss in a true freshman if they feel he’s the best guy.
Prediction: Backup offensive lineman