In an announcement made this morning, running back Dennis Underwood of Louisville (Oh.) St. Thomas Aquinas learned that the OHSAA ruling stating that he cannot play football this fall has been upheld in court.
I was at St. Thomas Aquinas high school this morning and talked with Dennis,
as well as Coach Tim Tyrrell and teammate Corey Sanchez. Obviously, there is a
sense of disappointment, as everybody involved with Underwood was hoping he
would be playing this fall. Coach Tyrrell stated his preparation for the
upcoming season was being hindered by not knowing if he would have his star
tailback but indicated his primary concern was for the welfare of Dennis
Underwood. Corey Sanchez, the Knights' two way lineman, was hoping to have
Dennis running the ball behind him and indicated that with Underwood playing, he
hoped the Knights could make the playoffs.
When asked what his future might bring Underwood replied "I'm pretty
sure I'll stay at Aquinas and try to graduate early. I don't really want to go
to a prep school at this time."
As far as college plans, Underwood, who has offers from Bowling Green, Akron,
Ball State, and Youngstown State, said he is not close to deciding on a school.
He has also received interest from Big-12 and Big-10 schools.
Previously, Coach Tyrrell indicated he wanted to keep Dennis involved with
the Aquinas program, in some capacity, if the ruling went against him.
Underwood (6-2, 190) was rated as Ohio's No. 22 prospect in the latest issue
of Ohio High magazine.