WEST CHESTER, Ohio — Lakota West 2022 offensive lineman Tegra Tshabola announced Thursday night he has verbally committed to play football at The Ohio State University.
"Ever since I was a little kid I've always been watching Ohio State football," Tshabola told WCPO. "Now I've actually talked to the coaching staff and got a chance to meet with Coach Ryan Day a few times I know that is the right place for me. They told me they would take care of me and I believe them. I have a whole lot of faith in that coaching staff."
Tshabola, who is 6 feet 6 and 305 pounds, also had scholarship offers from Oregon, Oklahoma, Louisiana State University, Florida, University of Southern California, Michigan, Kentucky, Penn State, Louisville, Arizona State, Tennessee and Miami University.
Tshabola, a first-year varsity starter in 2019, is the first Cincinnati-area high school football player to make a verbal commitment to a college program in the 2022 class.
"He has obvious power and run blocking ability," ScoutingOhio.com director Mark Porter said.
"Dominance at an early stage of development. Road grader inside guard-type that needs to develop as a pass protector. He plays with solid technique and has major upside as the weight room develops his body."
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Tshabola is the second 2022 player overall to verbally commit to Ohio State, according to 247 Sports. The Buckeyes were the first program to offer Tshabola a scholarship in early November 2019.
"That was unreal," Tshabola said. "It was a dream come true. That day I almost committed, but I decided I wanted to wait for a few more visits, a few more trips and visit a few more other schools. But I made my decision up and I don't plan on changing it anytime soon."
He was named Division I second-team all-district and first-team all-Greater Miami Conference in 2019 for the Firebirds (7-4), who made their first playoff appearance since 2014.
Lakota West plays host to La Salle in Week 1 in the second game of a home-and-home agreement that was agreed upon in September 2018.
