Colorado '17 CO OL - Jake Moretti (Colorado Verbal)

#OhioState OL commit @J_Moretti17 has a message for schools still recruiting him (VIP) https://t.co/zobSF8nkS7

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) April 23, 2016

 

#Buckeyes commit Jake Moretti in the discussion as the country's top OL https://t.co/e4dHARb4j1 pic.twitter.com/ylLrD0C6LV

— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong_) May 7, 2016

 

Ohio State OL commit Jake Moretti playing center pic.twitter.com/tUWfimH1Qf

— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) May 7, 2016

 

JAKE MORETTI • OL • ARVADA (COLORADO) POMONA

Like Myers, it is very likely that Jake Moretti ends up being chosen for an "at-large" spot for The Opening. As good as Myers was Saturday, the four-star Moretti – playing center which is not where plays – may have been just as a good, if not better. He's incredibly strong and plays with great leverage.

Moretti's natural position is tackle, as noted, Saturday he lined up at a center and did an incredible job. He was lauded for his ability to quickly pick up the spot.

Ohio State is a getting a really good pair of offensive linemen in their 2017 class.

 

#OhioState commit @J_Moretti17 on OSU coaches: "When told to do something Ill get it done" https://t.co/lEshllakQu pic.twitter.com/CFxVBy6uqI

— Bucknuts (@Bucknuts247) May 8, 2016

 

2017 commit Jake Moretti is a versatile OL. “Whatever Ohio State wants me to play, I’ll go out there and play it.” https://t.co/qHosmrVe10

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) May 15, 2016

 

Congrats to Jake Moretti (@J_Moretti17) of Pomona HS (CO) on being invited to #TheOpening Finals! #GOTOPEN #Buckeyes pic.twitter.com/40DZfL71zx

— ALL22 (@TheOpening) May 16, 2016

 

CO OL Jake Moretti moves into the #Rivals100 at No. 76, up 40 spots -- https://t.co/CbLEyEehiL #Buckeyes pic.twitter.com/OctULJlhsh

— Mike Farrell (@mfarrellsports) June 7, 2016

 

Ohio State commit Jake Moretti injures knee at Buckeyes camp https://t.co/b3CYDBo0TN via @247Sports

— OSUBasketballJunkie (@ScarletBuckeye2) June 18, 2016

 

Jake Moretti looking ahead after injury

During his most recent visit to Ohio State – June 17 for the Buckeyes final one-day camp of the summer – Jake Moretti suffered a knee injury that is likely to cost him his senior season. The injury was non-contact, just a step that went awry and sent the 4-star prospect from Arvada (Co.) to the turf in pain. The end result is a surgery scheduled for next week.

“I’m doing a little physical therapy to get the swelling out, and that’s going great,” Moretti told Landof10. “My surgery is in a week – July 7 – and then I’ll start rehabbing.”

Moretti was selected for The Opening, which takes place next week in Oregon, but the injury will sideline him for that event. He also won’t travel to the event.

“That is frustrating,” he said. “But there’s not much I can do about it. I’ve got to just stay positive.”

Helping him keep that mindset are the guys he’ll line up with the next time he puts on the pads, his future teammates at Ohio State.

“They’ve all been great,” Moretti said. “They’ve all been reaching out and are awesome guys.”

For now, it’s just focusing on the future for Moretti as he prepares for the mental test that comes with rehab. As you’d expect, he’s staying optimistic.

“I will make a full recovery,” he added. “I’ll be setting constant goals.”

 

Moretti focused on rehab, final months of high school

After a June knee injury and subsequent surgery, Ohio State 2017 4-star offensive line commitment Jake Moretti will miss his senior season at Pomona High School (Arvada, Colo.). The 6-foot-5, 285-pound Moretti has been working hard in his rehab and says things are coming along well.

“I’m doing good,” Moretti told Landof10. “I’ve had a positive mindset. I’ve been just spending time with family and friends. Rehab is going really well. Just the little exercises the doctor is telling me to do. I’m just trying to get back from this injury and that’s all the motivation I need with my friends and family in my corner helping me out.”

With a plan to enroll at Ohio State in January, Moretti says that he’s been in regular contact with his future coaches and future teammates who are helping him stay motivated.

“I’ve had constant talk with a bunch of the (commitments),” Moretti said. “I’m really excited to go up there and get to know all of them even better. I’ve been in regular contact with (running backs coach Tony) Alford and (offensive line coach Greg) Studrawa. It’s just us checking in on each other for the most part, seeing how everything is going.”

While there’s no doubt that the country’s 12th-ranked offensive tackle would prefer to be on the field with his teammates, he’s enjoying the chance to spend a little more time with his family and friends prior to his college departure.

“It’s been nice having a little more free time,” he said. “But I definitely miss being where I was with everything. Not just sports.”

There’s no plan yet for his official visit but Moretti, selected for Nike’s The Opening but unable to participate, says he’ll be looking into that soon.

“The next time I’ll be in Columbus is whenever my official is and we haven’t decided that yet,” he said. “I definitely still have to enjoy high school with my current teammates, but I’m excited to get up there without a doubt.”

 

Yo: Pomona's Jake Moretti is well, still Jake Moretti https://t.co/1Hux6vyQKW despite a season-ending injury. #copreps

— Neil Devlin (@neildevlin) September 7, 2016

 

Coach Speak: Get to know Ohio State offensive tackle commit Jake Moretti https://t.co/UNpYi3Z1pw

— Saturday Out West (@satoutwest) September 28, 2016

 

Moretti excited to get back to Ohio State

Another Ohio State 2017 commitment will be making his official visit with the Buckeyes for their Nov. 5 game against Nebraska.

“I’ll be going up there for my official,” Jake Moretti said. “For the Nebraska game. It’ll be cool seeing all the guys in person.”

Moretti is the country’s 12th-ranked offensive tackle and a 4-star prospect from Arvada (Colo.). Like Dobbins, Moretti has missed his entire senior season because of an injury. He injured his knee during his last visit to Columbus in June, when he was working with the Buckeyes during a one-day camp at Ohio State.

He’s still rehabbing his injured knee and says it’s going well.

“I’m doing well, the rehab is coming along good,” he said. “Other than that, I’m just staying busy.”

The 6-foot-5, 285-pound Moretti plans to enroll at Ohio State in January.

 

Top247 OT Jake Moretti will take part in the @ArmyAllAmerican Bowl experience before enrolling early at #OhioState: https://t.co/vzbFtowNxj pic.twitter.com/C0CYXlwbBW

— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong_) October 21, 2016

 

What’s up with Moretti?

College football recruiting is a microcosm of real life. In real life, you never, ever, really know what’s going to happen from one day to the next.

Take Wednesday, for example. When I woke up and penned (ok, fine, typed) out a story about the most underappreciated Ohio State commitments, it included Colorado offensive lineman Jake Moretti. Just hours later, rumors began to swirl that Moretti – committed solidly to the Buckeyes since July 4, 2015 – may not end up in Columbus after all.

When these situations arise, there are a few key things to consider. Foremost among them is this: There are no great answers, but that doesn’t mean either side is right or wrong.

Here’s what you need to know about Moretti and the Buckeyes.

1. Ohio State has not “pulled” his scholarship. The Buckeyes wants to sign Moretti in February.
2. Moretti has planned to enroll early as he continues to rehab his surgically repaired knee.
3. As numbers tighten, and with a limited number of early-enrollee spots needingto be sorted out, it made less sense for the Buckeyes to bring Moretti in early because he will not be physically ready to compete until next summer at the earliest.

At that point, it appears that Jake and his family are leaning toward checking out other options that will 100 percent allow him to enroll early. Colorado makes the most sense from a number of standpoints. The Buffaloes are a blooming program that would love to keep one of their state’s top players at home. And Moretti staying closer to home while rehabbing is helpful for him and his family.

This is not an easy decision for the Morettis, and it’s not a decision that either side is happy about. Ohio State identified and offered Moretti’s talent very early in the process. He was a player the coaching staff was eager to coach and a person that you’re proud to have in your program. Life sometimes has other plans, and there’s not always a clear-cut answer when it throws the big questions at you.

As of now, do not expect Moretti to sign with Ohio State.