Cardinal two-way lineman Logan Schultz realized a dream on Wednesday when he signed a National Letter of Intent to continue his education and football career at Lake Eric College in Painesville.
Schultz, a 6-foot-3, 260-pounder, played offensive tackle and defensive line for the Huskies. He is expected to begin his career at Lake Erie on offense.
“It’s awesome,” Schultz said. “I never actually thought I’d be able to make it, at least to play football at the Division II level at all. It’s a dream come true, it really is. I’ve been dreaming of this since I was a little kid.”
Lake Erie was one of the last schools to recruit Schultz but once he visited the nearby campus he knew he found a perfect fit.
“It was the facilities and the coaching staff, definitely, and the family feel of the team,” Schultz said. “Even though I didn’t know the players I felt like I was at home. I was being accepted. It was family-oriented. It felt good; it felt right.”
An honorable mention All-Ohioan and first team all-county, all-Chagrin Valley Conference and all-district selection, Schultz started every game of his high school career on the offensive line and a three-year starter on the defensive line.
“When Logan was a 14-year old starting center on our team, he would sometimes come off the field in tears, saying, ‘Coach, I missed my block,’” said Cardinal head coach Eric Cardinal. “We moved him to tackle as a sophomore, he worked hard in the weight room, and most important, he got older. He hasn't missed many blocks since. His best football is in front of him.”
As a junior, Schultz returned an interception for a touchdown and last fall he recorded 45 tackles and five quarterback sacks. He also carried the ball four times for 22 yards and a touchdown as a blocking back in the Huskies’ jumbo formation.
Schultz is the fourth Cardinal senior to commit to play a sport in college next season and the third who will compete in Division II. Kaitlin Bean will play volleyball at Ashland University, Brant Zemelka will play football at Tiffin University and Alyssa Shirkey will play volleyball at the University of Mount Union.
“It’s exciting to see so many of our talented students be able to continue their athletic careers at the next level,” said Cardinal High School Athletic Director Andy Cardinal. “To have this many student athletes commit in one year is pretty special. It’s a real testament to the work our student athletes, coaches and parents are doing.”
Schultz hopes to see several of his former teammates and classmates follow that trend.
To do it, they’ll need to push themselves in the weight room, the classroom and on the playing field.
“Push yourself to your maximum limits and then more," Schultz said. “I would say that no matter how hard it hurts or how bad the burn is just keep going. Shoot for the stars and land on a mountain. Don’t shoot for a mountain and land on a hill.”
