By CHRIS HOPPES

Sports Editor

It was the culmination of a life-long dream for Nathan Williams when he signed a national letter of intent Wednesday morning to attend The Ohio State University on a full scholarship.

Williams is just the third player from Miami Trace High School to receive a football scholarship from Ohio State and he will be the fourth Panther in school history to play for Ohio State.

Art Schlichter and Glenn Cobb received scholarships to play for Ohio State in the 1970s and David Andrews was a walk-on for the Buckeyes and was a member of the national championship team for the 2002 season.

The signing ceremony was held in the high school’s library and was attended by several member of the media, including (in addition to the Record-Herald) channel 4 from Columbus; Mark Rea of the Buckeye Sports Bulletin newspaper and web site; 610 WTVN radio and WCHO radio.

“This is big for everybody,” former Miami Trace head football coach Jeff Conroy said. “What an exciting day for this young man. For years we’ve watched (players) sign with the Buckeyes and other big-time schools and now we have one of our own signing here.

“It’s an exciting day for Ohio State, the Williams family, our football program — just everyone involved here,” Conroy said. “We just wish Nathan the best of luck. He’s done a great job for us for three years. We’re very proud of him. We’re all Buckeye fans here and now we’ve got a chance to see Nathan Williams with them and it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Williams excelled at Miami Trace, at running back and linebacker, being named three times as First Team, All-Ohio by the Associated Press.

Williams will have to get bigger if he is to play defensive end for the Buckeyes. That raises the speculation that Williams may red-shirt his freshman year in order to grow and acclimate himself to the college game and to what Ohio State needs.

“He’s about 245 (pounds) right now,” Conroy said. “They like to get those defensive ends up in that 260-270-pound range. I’m sure the first thing they’re going to do is look to put some weight on him. There will be an adjustment period. Some players come in and (contribute) right away, others it takes a little longer. We’ll just have to wait and see.

“Anytime you sign a national letter of intent with Ohio State, you’ve proven you belong,” Conroy said. “Ohio State doesn’t give those out to just anyone. They give them out to the top kids in the country. He fits in that category. He’s one of the top football players and top athletes around. We’re awfully proud of him.”

Williams, who gave his verbal committment to Ohio State in April of 2007, was glad that signing day was finally here.

“I’m very relieved,” Williams said. “I’m ready to get to work. I’m officially there, so I’m ready to bust my butt to get ready for next year.”

Williams spoke about the possibility of a red-shirt.

“I really don’t mind,” Williams said. “I’m just willing to do whatever the coaches feel is best for me. I think it will be a positive if I red-shirt or if I don’t red-shirt. I want to get in the mix as much as I can my freshman year. I feel I have the ability to. But, if they want to red-shirt me, I’m willing to red-shirt and just get bigger and faster and strong for the next year.”

Ohio State will guide virtually every step of Williams’ career once he sets foot on the campus in August. Ohio State will provide Williams with a work-out regimine, as well as a diet for him to follow.

“I’m just going to follow the plan to the ‘T’,” Williams said. “Just do everything they tell me to do and a little bit more.”

Williams was almost at a loss for words in trying to describe his feelings Wednesday after the signing ceremony and most of the media interviews were conducted.

“My words can’t express how I feel,” Williams said. “It’s amazing. I’ve dreamt about this ever since I was a little boy. To have my dreams come true, you really can’t really say much about it. It’s remarkable.”

Williams also mentioned that he is looking forward to being on the Miami Trace track team for his senior season. He and a couple of teammates will be hoping to qualify the Panther 4 x 100-meter relay team to the State tournament in early June.