Ohio State might have lost more than a football game to Michigan on Nov. 26.
Avon junior offensive tackle Luke Hamilton has been highly recruited for the past few years, accumulating over 20 Division I offers, but not from the Buckeyes.
On Nov. 27, Hamilton made his choice to become a Wolverine at the University of Michigan.
It was announced on Hamilton’s Twitter page.
“First off, I would like to thank everyone in my life that has helped me get to this point, especially my parents who have constantly supported me” Hamilton’s Twitter statement said. “I can’t thank them enough. I’d like to thank God for giving me the ability to play at the next level and be in this situation. I’d also like to thank my Avon coaches and teammates, who have helped me grow as a player and as a person. Lastly, I’d like to thank all of the coaches who have recruited me during this whole process. With all that being said, I am blessed to announce that I am committing to the University of Michigan!”
1000% Committed #GoBlue @Coach_SMoore @CoachJim4UM @coachclink @BriceMarich @AllenTrieu @RivalsLibby @SWiltfong247 @EJHollandOn3 @coach_elderm @recruitgfx pic.twitter.com/QWEGYY2G8p
— Luke Hamilton (@Hammy07422) November 27, 2022
Hamilton traveled to Ohio State to watch Michigan defeat Ohio State, 45-23. From that point on, Hamilton knew he had to pull the trigger.
“After going to Ohio State and seeing how they treated us, and it wasn’t on the good side of treating people,” he said. “My dad (Steve Hamilton) looked at me and told me to pull the trigger now… I think (Michigan) is the right fit for me.”
According to 247Sports, Hamilton is the fifth-ranked recruit in Ohio.
“At Michigan, I always feel like I am at home. Even before I got the offer, I always felt like I was at home,” Hamilton said. “Going to Ohio State, I was kind of on edge on whether they were going to treat me good or are they going to treat me bad. As soon as I walked in the door, I could tell that there was not good energy.”
According to Hamilton, he felt like Ohio State took his recruitment for granted because he lives in the state.
“(Ohio State) did this to all of the in-state (recruits). They put us on the back burner and will wait until the last second, because they think they have us committed there if they offer, which I think is totally stupid. That is not how that works at all. I’ve talked to linemen all around Cleveland and people that I know and they all feel the same way. … I think Ohio State is taking too long and I don’t think they are doing it right (at this time).”
According to Hamilton, He doesn’t think it’s fair for Ohio State to not give the class of 2024 recruitment attention, which made him consider other options.
Football is molded in his genes. His father Steve Hamilton, an Elyria graduate, played offensive line for the University of Toledo.
Hamilton is a big fan of the Wolverines’ playstyle and think he can be a major contributor to their offense.
“(Michigan) plays bully-ball all the time. That is what they are really known for,” he said. “You see their run game and how they work that. You have to be bullies to have a good run game and they do that. I think with my game and how I play, I am bringing exactly that to the table. I am a bully on the field and I don’t stop.”