Buckeyes recruit gains experience as grappler
by Dan Kadar
By Nick Ironside
Defensive lineman Garrett Goebel, an Ohio State recruit, first love isn’t football. It’s wrestling, a sport he’ll miss at the next level.
In four years time, 6-foot-5, 264-pound defensive end Garrett Goebel will be best remembered for his play on the football field at Ohio State.
Because he didn’t start playing football until his freshman year of high school, wrestling is the one sport he’ll miss never forget.
“I started wrestling when I was 8 years old,” Goebel said. “I like football better but I’m also going to really miss wrestling.”
Goebel may like football better, but he’s not a shabby wrestler.
“Last year, I was 55-1 and won the AA state tournament,” he said. “And this year I’m 34-1 right now, with 30 pins. I’m ranked No. 1 in the state [Illinois] and No. 2 in the nation.”
Wrestling may not be as popular a sport as football, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t successful football players who wrestled.
“I know that Matt Roth was a state champion wrestler,” said Goebel, adding, “He went to Iowa and now plays on the Miami Dolphins, and ironically he is from the same town as me.”
Goebel also said Ray Lewis and Warren Sapp were accomplished high school wrestlers.
Goebel plays and trains for football from August to November. But wrestling is a completely different story.
“Wrestling keeps you in excellent shape and college recruiters really like wrestlers,” said Goebel. “During the season I’m really lifting a lot. I’d say on a given week I work out about 4-5 during the season - it’s hard to do anymore than that with all the tournaments and practices.”
Being a wrestler and football player is tough, and a little too tough to do both in college, Goebel said.
“I’m just going to play football in college. I think doing both would be a little too much,” said Goebel. “However, I’m definitely going to miss wrestling a lot.”
Football and wrestling are definitely too much to handle in a college atmosphere, but don’t count out their abilities to help Goebel out in both sports.
“I think that being a lineman and being a wrestler is a huge advantage,” said Goebel. “It makes it easier to just throw your opponent to the ground. Wrestling keeps you in excellent shape.”
And when Goebel goes to Ohio State in June, coach Tressell can be sure about this - Goebel will be going there in fantastic shape.