Coming from a family that bleeds blue, TJ Downing has broken rank, choosing to play football at Ohio State beginning in the 2002 season.

TJ Downing, a 6-feet-6, 285-pound senior at Canton Glen Oak High School, committed to OSU two weeks ago after careful consideration of playing football for Michigan or the Buckeyes.

“I grew up rooting for Michigan my whole life,” TJ Downing said. “I came down for summer camp and fell in love with the program (OSU).”

Football is not just a hobby in the Downing household.

TJ Downing’s father, Walt Downing, played offensive tackle for the Wolverines before enjoying a career in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers and the San Diego Chargers.

The younger Downing is a little bigger than his father who was 6-feet-4 inches, 270 pounds when he started for the Wolverines in the mid-1970s.

TJ Downing said the choice to play college came down to the two Big Ten schools and that he didn’t make up his mind until this summer.

“I always thought I would play for Michigan,” TJ Downing said. “I really didn’t even think about Ohio State until I came to that first summer camp.”

TJ Downing said there was a mix up with Wolverine coaches and he wasn’t pleased with the way he was treated, prompting him to look in Columbus.

“I called up there (Michigan) to see what I needed to bring to the camp,” TJ Downing said. “They acted like they didn’t know who I was.”

Besides the fact that Michigan mishandled his situation, TJ Downing said the interest by Tressel and the Buckeyes, along with a new era in the OSU football program makes the decision more special.

“I was shocked by the amount of interest they showed in me,” TJ Downing said. “That and the fact that I am part of coach Tressel’s first recruiting class is very special to me.”

Walt Downing was more impressed by the interest shown by Tressel early on. Tressel called the night before TJ Downing took his SAT’s and offered encouragement, one of many times the new Buckeye coach phoned the Downing household.

Walt Downing said Tressel knew what he wanted because while Michigan invited about “1,800” lineman to camp, Ohio State had only about eight.

“It was just good from the beginning,” Walt Downing said.

TJ Downing plays offensive tackle and defensive end but says when he gets to Columbus next year he will only be on offense.

He still has his senior year to prepare for college football and said he has no intention of lying down to prevent injury.

“There are things I need to do to get better,” TJ Downing said. “I have an obligation here and I will be ready to play.”

Walt Downing says he has noticed an overall confidence in his son since making the decision and is happy he chose OSU.

“This was a very big deal for TJ,” Walt Downing said. “I am not disappointed at all in his decision. I am a Big Ten alumni and I am thrilled he will get to play in that conference.”

TJ Downing said when he thinks about coming down the ramp at the Horseshoe for the OSU-Michigan game, he gets goosebumps and admits that he will look over at the sea of yellow and blue and remember all the times he rooted for a UM win.

“It will be a little weird,” Downing said. “When I walk down the ramp I will definitely have some different feelings.”