Sam York commits to Ohio State as preferred walk-on

Urban Meyer and the Ohio State football staff are fresh off signing 23 of the top class of 2014 prospects to National Letters of Intent earlier this month. Looking to have depth at every position not just on game days, the Buckeyes aren't just adding those freshly inked scholarship athletes to the roster, but also a number of preferred walk-on prospects.

With Cincinnati St. Xavier quarterback Nick Tensing, Clayton Northmont defensive back Isaiah Williams and OSU signee Dylan Thompson's Montini Catholic (IL) teammate Mike Maduko already in the fold, long snapper Sam York of Marblehead High School in Marblehead, Massachusetts has decided to join them and accept an opportunity to walk-on to the Ohio State football team over chances to suit up for Michigan, Purdue and Fordham University.

"I was offered a preferred walk-on spot by Coach Gregory Gillum. I will be one of three long snappers on the team and I will be primarily competing for the field goal snapping position." York, who was offered the National Buckeye Merit Scholarship and plans to study Engineering once he reaches campus, told Land-Grant Holy Land earlier this evening. "I feel blessed to be a part of this prestigious program and it will be an honor to play for Coach Urban Meyer. This is a dream come true, and there are no words to fully describe how grateful and excited I am to have this opportunity."

I am extreme proud to announce that I will be playing football for The Ohio State University! Thanks to all who have supported me. #GoBucks

— Sam York (@SamYork77) February 26, 2014

Kohl's Kicking, who ranks Sam as the 27th long snapper in the class of 2014, had the following to say on the 6'1 217-pound newest Buckeye:

"Sam attended the 2013 December SC where he had a score of 34/45 and .76 second average snap time. 6/15 snaps went through the target and Sam connected on 13/15 SS. He snapped the ball well during the live reps portion of camp and gets good depth with a quick set on his kick sets. At the 2013 National Scholarship Camp, Sam finished with a .79 second average snap time and scored 12/17 LS with 8 going through the target and completed 7 reps at 185 pounds on the bench press. Sam attended the 2012 Southern Showcase Event in December where he went 11/15 on his short snaps and connected on 5/15 snaps that went through the target. He finished camp with an average snap time of .81 seconds and showed consistent improvement during the drill work phase of camp. Sam has good rotation on his snaps and is consistent with his location."

See what Sam York will add to the Buckeyes with these highlights below: