Blaize Exline set to walk on at Ohio State after historic Salem football career
SALEM, Ohio (BVM) – Blaize Exline’s career at Salem High School is one that is going to be remembered for a long time. A tremendous talent throughout his three seasons of playing, Exline set nearly every receiving record imaginable for the Quakers.
Like most, Exline’s journey on the gridiron began playing flag football before he transitioned to tackle in his middle school years. Growing up, Exline was inspired to play by watching his favorite team, the Cleveland Browns, as well as by his father, who played college football.
“Football is a big sport everywhere,” Exline said. “My dad played college football a little bit and he was just a good role model. He taught me everything.”
Throughout his youth, Exline played the quarterback position. But later in his middle school career, he moved to wide receiver, and that’s when his talent first became clear.
Yet, Exline was still focused on other sports at the time. Playing both basketball and baseball, Exline did not play any football during his freshman year at Salem as he continued to focus a lot of his time on the diamond.
“I’ve played baseball my whole life,” Exline said. “I think with all the sports I’ve played, just being on a team and learning from a coach or someone on the team has been really important.”
As he took the year off from football, Exline realized he missed playing the sport. He returned to the game in his sophomore year, and surprisingly, he didn’t miss a beat.
“I realized I wanted to come back to the sport,” Exline said. “I kept trying to climb the ranks to become a starter.”
He played cornerback for the Quakers to begin his sophomore season, and then transitioned back to his home at wide receiver over the last few games.
By junior year, Exline became a full-time starter out wide. Displaying speed, agility and the ability to break loose at any time, similar to his NFL idols in Jarvis Landry and Deebo Samuel, Exline’s historic Salem career was in full swing.
“I knew that I had to take on a role and it’s a role that I thought that I could take on,” Exline said about his junior season. “I thought I was a pretty good player. Throughout the season, I just got better every week.”
The progression continued for Exline in his senior season last fall. As Salem excelled to an 8-4 record, Exline set many eye-popping marks, including a school-record 125 receptions as well as 1,424 receiving yards and 28 total touchdowns.
By the time all was said and done, Exline finished with nearly every Salem receiving record and a few scoring records as well including: career scoring, career receptions, career receiving touchdowns, career receiving yards, single-game receptions, single-game touchdowns, single-season receptions, single-season touchdowns and single-season receiving yards.
“I really wasn’t expecting all these records and stuff,” Exline said. “I was just looking to come in and be a solid receiver who you can rely on. I’d say I’ve done that and I’ve accomplished a lot. It was hard to think that I was going to accomplish even more my senior season so I was thankful for that.”
Exline will go down as one of the best to ever suit up for the Quakers. Having a few months now since season’s end to look back on the mark he left on the program, Exline is incredibly proud of his success.
“It’s a great feeling because you know that you’re going to be in the record books that other people like the younger kids know about,” Exline said. “I don’t know how to explain it, but it’s just a great feeling to have knowing that you’re one of the best in school history.”
The football field is not the only place Exline left his mark, either. Throughout his high school tenure, the football standout had a 4.0 GPA in the classroom. He has also volunteered many times over the last few years through the Salem football program.
“It’s definitely something to feel good about knowing that I’ve played all these sports and I don’t have as much time as other people,” Exline said. “So for me to get my work done and still maintain good grades is really important to me.”
Now, Exline is prepared to take his success both on the field and off to the next level. As he continued to grow on the gridiron throughout his high school career, the Salem senior knew he would want to play college football.
Although his recruiting process started a bit later than some, Exline had no shortage of interest at all levels.
“I kind of started my recruiting process senior year,” Exline said. “I talked to teams from DI, DII, DIII, all the way down.”
Exline received offers from the likes of DI schools in Dayton, and local DIII powerhouse, Mount Union. However, when a walk-on opportunity became available from the state’s top college football program, it became too good to pass up.
“I was thinking it would be great to go to the next level,” Exline said. “I’ve gotten better each year so I feel like I can compete at these levels. In February, I was always talking to Ohio State, and I went ahead and committed around that time.”
Most kids who grow up playing football in Ohio dream of putting on the gray and scarlet someday. For Exline, that is no different. Growing up a Buckeyes fan, he knew that even if he got just a walk-on opportunity in Columbus, he would jump at it.
“Growing up in Ohio, I’m a big Browns fan and Ohio State fan,” Exline said. “I don’t think I would ever pass up the opportunity to play for Ohio State. Even as a walk-on spot, it’s still a great time to hop onto the team and give it your all. That was my first choice over any school.”
Exline’s legacy at Salem is one that will stand for quite some time. Now, he will look to make an impact in Columbus in a similar way. It will take a lot of work to move up the depth chart for one of the top college football programs in the nation, but Exline is prepared to do so one step at a time.
“My goals right now are just climb the roster, try to make that first team every year,” Exline said. “And to just prove that I am a reliable receiver that you can have on the team just like in high school. It’s small steps, but every step is a big step.”
