Jimmy Kalis’ High School Coach Says Ohio State Is Getting ‘A Slam Dunk’

When four-star offensive tackle Jimmy Kalis committed to Ohio State, his high school head coach at Central Catholic, Ryan Lehmeier, knew the Buckeyes were getting a good one.

“I couldn’t say enough about him,” Lehmeier told Buckeye Sports Bulletin. “The way he goes about his business, how much he loves football, and the type of person he is, I think Ohio State’s getting a slam dunk.”

Kalis committed on April 17 and is ranked as the No. 317 overall player in the 2027 class and the 30th-ranked offensive tackle. Ohio State offensive line coach Tyler Bowen liked Kalis enough to make him the fourth player of what is already a five-man offensive line group in the class for the Buckeyes.

And for Lehmeier, it was no surprise that when Bowen set his sights on Kalis, he liked what he saw.

“(Because of) his ability to take coaching, understand game plans from week to week and being engaged with us, this is what we expected,” Lehmeier said. “The other thing I can say about Jimmy is that he plays exceptionally hard, and he doesn’t just do that on Friday. He’s a great practice player.”

Kalis started last season at left tackle for the 13-2 Vikings, where Lehmeier believes his length and athleticism fit well.

But it’s not only the large frame — Lehmeier says Kalis is “every bit of 6-8” — that makes Kalis a great tackle prospect, but also his knowledge of the game.

“He’s seen a lot. (He has the) ability to recognize, diagnose and understand different fronts, different techniques and different ways people are playing him,” Lehmeier said. “To be able to identify that stuff, to rely on past experiences and, in real time, make adjustments, I think that’s a hard thing for high school kids. He did that last year as well as anybody.

“He had Kevin Brown (two-way player at Harrisburg High School last season) to go up against and some other guys that were really talented. I think Jimmy didn’t just beat them with his brawn, he beat them with his brain. At that position, you want those guys to be cerebral, and I think he’s the total package.”

Kalis has had the chance over the last few years to go up against North Carolina signee Asthon Blatt in practice at Central Catholic, which Lehmeier said has only made both of the two better since they couldn’t take plays off in practice.

“His ability to apply himself in practice, the temperament he brings to the practice field, there’s a lot of carryover to Friday nights,” Lehmeier said. “Nothing he does out there is an accident.”