State's top-ranked junior football prospect, New Palestine's Ian Moore, commits to Ohio State

Ian Moore did not grow up rooting for Ohio State football. Crazy as it sounds, he was not even sure at first he wanted to be recruited by the Buckeyes.

“The first time I talked to (Ohio State assistant coach Mike) Sollenne on the phone I didn’t want to,” Moore said. “As a football fan I didn’t like them because they always beat my teams.”

Moore, one of the state’s top prospects, obviously warmed up to Ohio State. The 6-5, 295-pound New Palestine offensive lineman, rated as a four-star prospect and the No. 1 in-state player in the 2024 class by 247sports, announced his commitment Thursday to the Buckeyes.

“Now every person on that staff feels like family,” Moore said.

Moore, who had 23 offers, including Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Indiana, Purdue, Cincinnati, Michigan State, Penn State and Tennessee, among others. He said Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin were the schools he closely considered, especially the Badgers.

“The bad thing about those schools was the distance,” he said.

Moore is the second commit in the class for Ohio State, joining five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola from Chandler, Ariz. Moore could have waited and let his recruitment play out further, but decided he was ready.

“I committed now because it felt right,” he said. “I didn’t want to wait; I already had all the offers and attention I wanted. They plan to use me like a recruiter. We’re trying to build the best class we can.”

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Moore, who picked up an offer from Ohio State over the summer on a visit, attended Carroll (Flora) as a freshman before his family moved to New Palestine. His father, Terry Moore, is a former Indiana State football player and a deputy in the Marion County Sherriff’s Office.

Moore’s offensive line teammate, senior Luke Burgess, is committed to Louisville. Class 4A top-ranked New Palestine (9-0) begins sectional play Friday at defending 4A state champion Mt. Vernon.

Sollenne, who coaches the offensive line with associate head coach Justin Frye, made a connection with Moore. “He’s young, energetic and a great assistant coach,” he said. “He supports coach Frye’s energy perfectly.”

Moore wrote in announcing his commitment:

“First of all I just wanted to say thank you to all of the coaches that have taken the time out of their schedules to recruit me and build a relationship with me. With that said I’d like to announce that I have committed to THE Ohio State University. I want to thank all the communities that have backed me up through my life. Whether that be the Flora community where I started my football journey or the very supportive New Pal community. I’d also like to thank my high school coaches and teammates. Only a year and a half ago I was a new face in New Pal and they welcomed me with open arms.

“I want to thank my parents and family for being with me through this journey and having my back every step of the way. I love you guys and you’re the ones that made all of my dreams possible. Lastly, I’d like to thank the OSU coaching staff for blessing me with this opportunity. Y’all have made me feel like I have a second family. Can’t want for the next chapter of my life with y’all.”

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Ohio State football recruiting: New Palestine lineman Ian Moore commits