Playing at Ohio State is not going to be easy, and that is one of the things that drew Top247 offensive tackle Jimmy Kalis to the Buckeyes.

The bond between Buckeyes offensive line coach Tyler Bowen and Kalis also played an enormous role as Ohio State added to its offensive line class Friday.

Kalis, a 6-foot-6, 280-pound standout at Pittsburgh Central Catholic, committed to the Buckeyes and announced his decision.

“It’s going to be a challenge,” Kalis said of playing at Ohio State. “I think I am going to have to go up there and work, prove myself to get on the field. That’s where I want to go; the best league, either Big Ten or SEC. I chose Big Ten.

“Ohio State is a contender for a national championship every year and obviously I want to bring a natty back to Columbus.”

The Buckeyes offered when Kalis was on campus in March 2025, and he made multiple trips back, including one a few weeks ago.

Through those visits and countless conversations with Bowen, Kalis developed a comfort level with him that did not exist with others.

“He’s a pretty down-to-earth guy,” Kalis said. “I’ve had a great relationship with him on and off the field. When I go up and visit and talk to him, it’s not fully focused on football. It’s just about life. It’s focusing on how my family is doing.

“He’s a pretty personable guy. Add to the fact he does have great development, and he can take me to the next level of where I want to go.”

With recruiting over, Kalis said he is ready to turn the focus back  to the field.

“There was a lot of weight on my shoulders,” he said. “Now I can fully focus on Central football with my teammates and be a better leader, a better captain and all that good stuff.”

Here is what you need to know:

WHAT JIMMY KALIS SAYS ABOUT OHIO STATE

“It came down to Ohio State, Georgia and Clemson,” Kalis said. “At the end of the day, it was fully focused on development and relationships, and the academic part of Ohio State. I just had a close enough relationship with Ohio State. It came down to distance, too.”

WHO ELSE WAS IN THE MIX?

Kalis had a top six of Ohio State, Clemson, LSU, Georgia, Texas and Miami in February, and he also had Penn State on his list because of proximity and his relationship. He had official visits set to LSU, Georgia and Texas, and he was always planning one to Ohio State but did not settle on the date earlier in the process. Now, the only one he will make is to Ohio State.

WHERE JIMMY KALIS RANKS AS A RECRUIT

Kalis has a 247Sports grade of 90, and he is the nation’s No. 24 offensive tackle prospect, the No. 19 player in Pennsylvania and the No. 197 prospect in the nation. In the industry-generated 247Sports Composite, Kalis is the No. 30 offensive tackle, the No. 10 player in Pennsylvania and the No. 308 player in the nation in the 2027 class.

HOW JIMMY KALIS FITS WITH OHIO STATE

Kalis is the 10th member of Ohio State’s class, the fifth member of the Top247 and the fourth offensive lineman. He joins Liberty Center (Ohio) High top 50 offensive tackle Kellen Wymer, Saint Clairsville (Ohio) High offensive tackle Mason Wilt and Richmond (Va.) Godwin offensive tackle Brody McNeel are already in the class. The commitment moves Ohio State up two slots in the national rankings to No. 3. The Buckeyes overtook USC and now have the No. 1 class in the Big Ten. Oklahoma’s and Texas A&M’s classes are ranked first and second, respectively. 

WHAT WE THINK OF JIMMY KALIS

Andrew Ivins, who is the director of scouting for 247Sports, provided the following eval notes on Kalis.

-Tall, battle-tested puncher that shines as a drive/down blocker.

-Tracking to exit high school as a three-year starter in the WPIAL where he has been tasked with moving a number of blue-chip pass rushers.

-Moves with a higher center of gravity, but finds ways to engage the lower half.

-Almost always looking to finish and take defenders into the ground.

-Rather composed in pass sets, but needs to improve lateral slide.

-Bulldozes on double-team calls and frequently engages multiple targets each snap.

-Projects best as a right tackle in a power scheme, but could also find a home on the interior as his game might be better suited for close quarters.

-Should be viewed as a potential multi-year starter at the Power Four level that brings a higher floor to the equation.