Photo Courtesy of Rivals.com
Zach Boren.
The Boren family has added a new, intricate chapter to the rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan.
Mike Boren attended high school in Columbus, but enrolled at the school up north, where he played linebacker from 1980-83. His wife, Hope, is also a Michigan alumna.
Their oldest son, Justin, followed suit and accepted a scholarship to play for the Wolverines. After Rich Rodriguez replaced Lloyd Carr as coach, Justin chose to transfer allegiances to the Scarlet and Gray.
Now, linebacker recruit Zach Boren has joined his brother as a Buckeye, resulting in a transformation of loyalty among the entire family.
“Everyone in the whole family is an Ohio State fan now,” Zach said. “No one cares about Michigan at all anymore. That was in the past and we’re all looking forward to being Buckeyes and staying Buckeyes for the rest of our lives.”
Mike said he has generally received support from fellow Michigan alumni and former teammates, despite his newfound Ohio State fanship.
“I’ve gotten many phone calls backing me up or saying they would be doing the same thing if it were their kids in the same situation,” he said. “As long as my kids are at Ohio State, I will be a Buckeye fan, and I may be even afterwards too.”
His brother’s relocation to Ohio State assured Zach that he wanted to become a Buckeye.
“Even if Justin stayed at Michigan, I was still looking at Ohio State,” he said. “Justin didn’t have everything to do with it. But when he transferred here, I knew for sure that this was the place.”
Because of NCAA eligibility rules, Justin was forced to sit out the entire 2008 season. Zach looks forward to the opportunity to play with his brother in 2009 and beyond.
“It’s going to be awesome,” he said. “I played with him for one year in high school and it was such a special time. But to play at the college level, especially Ohio State, it’s definitely going to be a great opportunity to be with him and grow with him.”
Zach tore several ligaments in his knee near the end of his senior season, but said he will be ready to perform in spring practices and scrimmages. Coach Jim Tressel will enjoy his effort and instincts, said Kevin Noon, managing editor for ohiostate.rivals.com.
“He’s a high motor player,” he said. “He gets out there and does what’s asked of him and is very coachable. Those are the kinds of things that coaches are going to like.”
Boren doesn’t possess the ideal physical assets for a linebacker, but his determination and strong work ethic will lead him to success on the gridiron, Noon said.
“He may not be the most gifted linebacker in the class when it comes to physical attributes,” he said. “But he’s a coach’s dream in the way that he truly understands the game and the schemes, and that’s going to help him go a long way.”
As for the pressure involved with following in the footsteps of linebackers such as A.J. Hawk and James Laurinaitis, Boren embraces the opportunity.
“To have that pressure is crazy,” he said. “But I’m going to work my hardest to represent Ohio State and all the great players that they’ve already had. It’s hard to say that I’m going to be the next great linebacker, but I’m going to do the best I can.”
To achieve that status, Boren will need to make use of his relentless motor, Noon said.
“He’s one of these tremendous, blue-collar types of players,” he said. “He’ll come out, see the ball, and get the ball.”
Mike Boren said he looks forward to the opportunity to watch his sons play together, especially so close to their Columbus home.
“I’m so proud of both of my boys, with what they’ve accomplished and probably what they will accomplish,” he said. “I am jacked for this next season.”
So when the heated rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan resumes in November, which school will claim the elder Boren’s allegiance?
“My dad will be decked out in scarlet and gray,” Zach said.
Zack Meisel can be reached at [email protected].
