Wayne football standout commits to Ohio State

“First I would like to thank every college coach that has recruited me,” Padilla wrote in a message posted to social media. “I would like to thank God, my family and friends and everyone that haas supported and pushed me to be my best.

“A special thank you to coach Mukes, coach Cole, coach Dre, coach Bitsko and all my high school coaches, both football and wrestling, for molding and guiding me.”

He also credited his father and brother for helping him develop as an offensive linemen before concluding, “With that being said, I am excited to announce my commitment to The Ohio State University!”

The 6-foot-5, 280-pound Padilla is a four-star prospect and the second player from the class of 2023 to commit to Ohio State.

He was a first-team All-GWOC pick this year along with fellow Warriors offensive linemen Aamil Wagner and Evan Tengesdahl, who are also Division I college prospects.

Wayne went 8-3 and shared the league title with Springfield.

Padilla has an impressive offer list that includes Notre Dame, Michigan, Penn State and Miami (Fla.).

He told the Dayton Daily News in April he grew up an Ohio State fan but was doing his due diligence when it came to picking a college.

Wayne and Ohio State have a lot of history together.

From 2000-2019, at least one Warrior alumnus was on the Ohio State roster, a streak that started with Will Allen and John Hollins and continued with Marcus Freeman, Donnie Evege, Braxton Miller, Robert “BB” Landers and L’Christian “Blue” Smith.

Ohio State did not sign anyone from the Dayton area in the 2019 or ‘20 classes, but Alter’s C.J. Hicks is set to end that streak in December when current high school seniors can sign a letter of intent.

Since 2000, Ohio State has signed 35 players from the Dayton/Middletown/Springfield area — but none since Ryan Day became head coach of the Buckeyes following the 2018 season.

Hicks is set to end the drought along with Lakota West teammates Tegra Tshabola and Jyaire Brown.