With Controversy Swirling at Ohio State, St. Edward Standout Keeps Options Open

Less than a month ago, lineman was like so many other rising seniors in Lakewood and around Cleveland. His classes were winding down, his summer plans were taking shape and he was counting down the days until he started his final year of high school.

And then day after day of scandalous news filtered out of Columbus about the Buckeyes and former coach Jim Tressel.

That prompted Kalis, who had verbally commited to play for the Buckeyes, to explore his options. He talked with Ohio State interim coach Luke Fickell and opted to rescind his oral commitment to the program, according to Cleveland.com. Now, he will spend at least some of his summer on the road, first with a weekend trip to Michigan with his father, former NFL lineman Todd Kalis, then perhaps to Alabama, Auburn, Iowa and Miami. He also has offers from Louisiana State, Nebraska, Notre Dame and Wisconsin, among numerous other schools.

Any of those programs would want Kalis in their uniform. He measures in at 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds, and is ranked as the No. 18 prospect nationally in the class of 2012 and fourth nationally in his class among all lineman, according to Rivals.com.

In an interview with MGoBlog, Kalis said his friendship with Mentor High School defensive end , who recently committed to Michigan, played a part in his own thought process.

In the same interview, Kalis said he wants to talk this weekend with Michigan coach Brady Hoke, offensive line coach Darrell Funk and director of strength and conditioning Aaron Wellman about the program and their potential plans for him.