SpringfieldNewsSun.com

It's almost like the Homan family car is equipped with brains.

When Dave and Alice Homan climb aboard, the vehicle knows exactly what to do.

"We just put our car in drive and it goes to Columbus," Alice said.

The Coldwater couple will be in Columbus today, Feb. 4, for a 4 p.m. news conference at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, watching their son, Adam, slip on jersey No. 49 and sign his national letter of intent to play football for Ohio State University.

The 6-foot-3, 237 pounder graduated early from Coldwater High School and enrolled for winter quarter at OSU, where his brother, Ross, is already entrenched as a starting linebacker preparing for his junior season this fall.

"It's a breathtaking experience being here this year, already working out with the team and you're getting to know guys that you've looked up to and have been watching on television the last couple of years," Adam said. "It's really kind of surreal.

"Making it official, obviously, it's a big day. The feeling's really great to get it done with. Even with starting classes early, this is always the day you look forward to."

Although Adam played fullback and linebacker for the Coldwater Cavaliers, he'll begin his Buckeyes career as a fullback, blocking for quarterback Terrelle Pryor and tailbacks Daniel "Boom" Herron and Brandon "Zoom" Saine.

"I'm comfortable with that," Adam said. "I told the coaches it's up to them, wherever they felt more comfortable with me and however I can contribute. Either way, I'm comfortable in my surroundings and feel it's a position I can play.

"You've got to be hard-nosed and tough, be willing to stick your nose in there. I always think of the 'Iso (isolation) read' with the fullback and linebacker meeting at the line of scrimmage. It's a very physical position, but that just comes with the territory."

Ross, of course, is his brother's keeper. Adam knows it and relishes it.

"It's such a relief having him here," Adam said. "He's really helped me out a phenomenal amount — from bringing me to workouts to asking me how I'm doing to making sure I'm studying and making sure I'm going to class.

"He's helped me get to know some of the older guys he hangs out with. He's just opened up a lot of doors and I'm very thankful he's been here to help me through this transition."

Contact this reporter at

(937) 225-2253 or cludwig

@DaytonDailyNews.com.