Gibson glad he stayed at Ohio State

Oct 29, 2009 - 8:05 PM By RUSTY MILLER AP Sports Writer

COLUMBUS, Ohio(AP) -- Two years ago, Thaddeus Gibson was close to leaving the Ohio State football team because he felt he was a forgotten man.

Now he's one of the best defensive linemen in the Big Ten and part of a front wall that is the strength of the No. 17 Buckeyes.

"I just appreciate those guys sticking with me," he said of the coaching staff and his teammates. "Being young and anxious to play, coming from a high school where you were the all-star guy, coming here and not having the opportunity was just hard for me."

Gibson, now a junior starting defense end for the Buckeyes, was an acclaimed linebacker recruit out of Euclid High School in suburban Cleveland. He was known for his pass rush, with 10 sacks and 24 hurries as a senior. He also played basketball.

When he came to Ohio State, he was shifted to defensive line and found that he was behind several quality players. He redshirted his first year, then played special teams and seldom got in on defense.

"Sometimes you want it too fast, you want to come in and be the man," teammate and fellow lineman Doug Worthington said. "I just had to let him know that you've got a couple of guys in front of you that are pretty good in Vernon Gholston and all the other defensive linemen, like Jay Richardson. You've got to take your time and just go out and prepare."

Gibson still wasn't sure it was worth the wait.

Coach Jim Tressel knew that Gibson was unhappy, but didn't think he'd return home.

"No. He didn't have a car, I don't think. (It's) a long walk to Euclid," Tressel cracked earlier this week. "And kids don't hitchhike anymore."

Ohio State's coaches talked to him, including defensive coordinator Jim Heacock. Along with his friends, they finally persuaded Gibson to stick it out and wait for his turn.

Tressel said Gibson learned a valuable lesson.

"Patience. That's a great thing for anyone to learn in whatever they're involved in," he said. "Whether they're at Ohio State, New Mexico State, Minnesota, wherever they are, (young players) have been recruited (and) they've been given the impression that their services are sorely needed and the world's going to be wonderful if they'll just come here. Well, the world isn't wonderful anywhere to everyone's liking and it's maybe a lot more difficult. You get surprised a little bit and disappointed and impatient."

Gibson channeled his disappointment into hard work. He became a starter a year ago and is currently the Big Ten's co-defensive player of the week after recording a career-high three sacks in last Saturday's 38-7 win over Minnesota.

"We tease Thad all the time about how he was sitting on the stairs saying, 'I'm out of here,' and a couple older guys put their arm around him and said, 'Yeah, I was on the same stairs and you'll be fine,"' Tressel said.

Worthington, who also once had doubts about his future at Ohio State, looks at Gibson and is pleased by the transformation.

"Thad had a lot of down time and lot of time when he didn't know where he was going in his career. I've seen his athletic ability and how hard he worked. All of it is paying off," Worthington said. "Now he's as happy as ever. It just took a little bit of guidance and a little bit of help. I was glad to be there, because there were a lot of guys there for me."

Heading into Saturday's game against 40-point underdog New Mexico State, Gibson has 9.5 tackles for minus yardage, four sacks, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble.

In his soft, low voice, he knows that his turnaround started when he began listening to his teammates and coaches two years ago.

"I look back on it and I"m thankful for that happening to me because I think it made me a better person today," he said. "And a better player."