Peter Gwilym, the 2010 Fitzpatrick Trophy winner who led Cheverus to the Class A state championship, has taken a step toward realizing his dream of playing big-time college football, making the Ohio State team as a walk-on for spring practice.
Gwilym was among seven players from a group of 50, who participated in a tryout in January, to be invited back. A quarterback-defensive back in high school, Gwilym is listed as a receiver on the roster. There is a picture of Gwilym and a brief bio on the team website (www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com).
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“It’s awesome,” said Gwilym, who is home in Freeport for spring break. He said he will return to school Sunday.
“They had us do a lot of drills and run the 40. They reduced it to seven and had us do more drills, lift weights and watch video. I thought I had a chance. When I learned I had been selected, I was pretty excited. I called my mother.
“I played wide receiver as a freshman in high school. It will be fun to give it another shot.”
Gwilym is studying business and close to completing his first year in college. He is listed as a redshirt freshman.
“School is going really well. It’s a huge school,” said Gwilym. “I have some classes where there’s 40 students and others where there’s 500.”
Spring practice begins Monday. Urban Meyer, the former University of Florida coach, is in his first year with the Buckeyes.
“I haven’t really talked to him yet,” said Gwilym. “He talked to us as a group. He’s impressive and gets down to business. He’s a really good coach.”
Gwilym has added close to 20 pounds since his senior year at Cheverus and now weighs 192.
“I gained quite a bit of weight through lifting and eating right through nutrition,” he said.
Gwilym separated his shoulder making a tackle in the Lobster Bowl last July. He had surgery in August.
“I rested my shoulder for a month and then worked out with my physical therapist at school, doing shoulder exercises,” said Gwilym. “I’ve gone through all the rehabilitation and have been cleared to play. If it gets hurt again, it gets hurt. There’s nothing I can do about that.”
Gwilym looked at other colleges but was drawn to the Buckeyes and his desire to play major college football.
“My grandparents went to school there. My whole family is from Ohio,” he said.
Besides winning the Fitzpatrick Trophy, Gwilym was the Maine Sunday Telegram football MVP, the Gatorade player of the year and Western Maine Class A Conference MVP as a senior. He was known more for his running than his passing as a quarterback, but improved as a passer by his senior year.
He rushed for 705 yards and scored 13 touchdowns, and threw for 763 yards and nine touchdowns for the Stags, who finished 12-0 in 2010.
Staff Writer Tom Chard can be reached at 791-6419 or at:
tchard@pressherald.com
Twitter: TomChardPPH
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