Reports say former Ohio State football recruit Kyle Kalis has switched to Michigan

By Rich Rezler Freelance Sports Reporter

Posted on Sun, Jul 10, 2011 : 3:12 p.m.

The Michigan football team added one of the top offensive linemen in the nation to its 2012 recruiting class on Sunday, according to multiple reports.

Originally an Ohio State recruit, Kyle Kalis, a 6-foot-5, 302-pound offensive tackle from Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward High School, told the Michigan coaching staff during a visit Sunday that he would be a Wolverine says The Wolverine, GoBlueWolverine.com and other sources.

Kalis, the top recruit in the state of Ohio according to Rivals.com, was an early Ohio State commit who still planned to become a Buckeye after Yahoo Sports published its story in early March about coach Jim Tressel covering up players’ ineligibility.

Kalis told Sporting News in May that he would honor his commitment to Ohio State if Tressel remained the coach, saying “I’m 100 percent unless anything happens (to Tressel), then it’s up in the air.”

Tressel was forced to resign on May 31 and Kalis -- after originally reaffirming his commitment to new Ohio State coach Luke Fickell -- de-committed on June 21.

Kalis becomes the highest-ranked player in Michigan’s 19-member recruiting class.

He has a 5-star rating, is the No. 40 overall player and sixth-best offensive tackle in the nation according to Scout.com.

Rivals.com lists him as a 4-star recruit, but only hands out 5-star ratings to 17 players. Kalis is No. 18 on the Rivals top 100 list and the No. 4 offensive tackle.

ESPN.com and 247Sports.com both rate him as a 4-star prospect

ESPN.com’s evaluation of Kalis: “Kalis is a tough run blocker capable of controlling defenders with his upper body playing strength. Has the size with enough athleticism for the offensive tackle position at the major level of competition. If edge speed becomes a factor this prospect could end up inside at the offensive guard spot.”

Kalis is the third 4-star offensive tackle recruit in the class, joining Erik Magnuson from Carlsbad, Calif., and Blake Bars from Nashville, Tenn. Verbal commitments are non-binding.