T-L Photo/SETH STASKEY ST. CLAIRSVILLE senior Avery Henry signed his National Letter of Intent to continue his football career at Ohio State University on Wednesday. Henry was joined at the ceremony by several family members. In front is Ron Eberhart (uncle). Flanking Avery are his grandmother, Joan Henry, and his mother, Tiffani Pabian. Behind are Emma Henry (sister), step mother Denise Henry, father, Matt Henry, brother Dane Kinney, grandmother Sharon Pabian, grandfather Joe Pabian and aunt Taj Eberhart.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Over the last decade-plus, several St. Clairsville football players have signed National Letters of Intent to continue their careers at the collegiate level.

None before, however, featured a audience-led chants of OH-IO.

That changed Wednesday afternoon when Red Devil senior Avery Henry officially became an Ohio State Buckeye.

Joined by family, friends, coaches and teammates, Henry formally inked his National Letter of Intent just a couple of months removed from giving his verbal pledge to join the Buckeyes.

Henry is one of 17 members of the Buckeyes’ signing class, which is ranked tops in the Big Ten and fourth nationally. He’s one of just five who call the state of Ohio home.

“This is just an amazing day and feeling (to have signed), and I really couldn’t be any happier than I am right now,” Henry said. “This is truly a blessing.”

Football scholarship signings don’t occur every day in Belmont County. Henry becomes the first Red Devil since John Spencer in 1987 to sign with the Buckeyes. Additionally, he’s the first from a Belmont County school since Joey Galloway inked with the Buckeyes in 1990.

“This is absolutely huge,” St. Clairsville head coach Brett McLean said. “Anytime our kids go on to the collegiate level is an exciting thing. To go to a place like Ohio State is a huge, huge, deal. It’s a big honor for Avery, our team and our entire community. I am just really excited for him.”

Prior to posing for numerous photo opportunities, Henry addressed his teammates and became emotional in doing so. He spoke about his offseason workouts, thanking his teammates for going through the process with him as he transformed his body. He made sure his teammates realized that they’d be “brothers” for life even though Henry won’t wear the STC on his helmet anymore.

“I was really emotional because there was a time (in my life) when I didn’t think I would be at this time and I didn’t think I was good enough,” Henry said. “These guys didn’t have to come and work out with me, but they did it. I will forever have these guys as my friends and brothers.”

Henry’s journey to Ohio State wasn’t as smooth as some. The 6-6, 305 pound offensive tackle really had to earn the scholarship offer from Ryan Day.

The first step of that process was his aforementioned body transformation, which saw him eat grilled chicken and rice three times a day along with three workouts per day. Add it all up and Henry dropped some 70 pounds.

“It was hard,” Henry admitted of the process. “I couldn’t be any happier with the decision I made though to eat that way and do those things. I will admit I stray off sometimes, but most of the time I am just grilled chicken and rice.”

Henry, who is listed as a “3-star recruit” by most of the national recruiting services, formally received an offer from the Buckeyes after offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson and line coach Greg Studrawa attended the Red Devils victory against Wheeling Central. They saw him play live and basically Day called a couple of days later.

From there, Henry, who had committed to Iowa State during the summer, committed basically during the same phone call.

“I saw Ohio State as a great fit and I know they’re going to make me the best of the best,” Henry said. Henry believes the path he’s taken is going to help him in the long run. Obviously, the First Team All-Ohioan knows the path to field is going to be challenging. But, he’s ready and excited for it.

“I know I am going to get knocked down, but I also know I am going to get back up,” Henry said. “I am excited because I am going to be pushed harder than I’ve ever been pushed before. I am in the situation where I want to be better, so I am willing to do whatever it takes. Facing the best guy on Ohio State’s team is going to make me better.”

Day visited with Henry and his parents at St. Clairsville High School last week. After some lengthy conversations, Henry simply stood and watched as Day took time out of his schedule to pose for pictures with St. C. faculty, staffers and even greet kids in the hallway.

“When Coach Day walked out of the room, he didn’t have to go talk to all of those little kids and give them high fives, handshakes and pictures,” Henry said. “He didn’t have to do it, but he did it. That’s why he’s my coach because he goes above and beyond in situations like that.”

In his conversations with the Buckeyes coaches, Henry believes he will be a candidate for offensive tackle. However, he said he’d be willing to move to “tight end” if it meant being able to help the team.

“I am going to go out there and work as hard as I can to start as soon as possible,” Henry said.

Henry put the finishing touches on a brilliant career with the Red Devils by leading the team to the regional final. Along with being named All-Ohio, he was a finalist for the coveted Mr. Football Award. He finished the regular season with 42 pancake blocks and a 92% grade on the front. In the playoffs, he set a St. C. single-game record with 12 pancake blocks in the win over Meadowbrook.

Avery is the son of Matt Henry and Tiffani Pabian.