Sandusky's Terion Stewart commits to Bowling Green

SANDUSKY — Terion Stewart participated in Bowling Green's football camp Friday and left with an offer to joining the Falcons. It didn't take long for Sandusky's record-breaking running back to accept."I talked to my family about it and they thought it would be a great place to go," Stewart said Saturday, a few hours after he announced his verbal commitment on Twitter. "It's right there, an hour away from home."Stewart, who will be a senior this school year, was named Division III first-team All-Ohio in 2018. He rushed for a school-record 2,731 yards last season, helping the Blue Streaks to an 8-5 record that included two playoff victories. His career total of 3,964 rushing yards also is a school record.Stewart and some of his teammates have hit the camp circuit this summer. Among the camps he has attended: Ohio State, Toledo, Youngstown State and BGSU (twice)."Every staff has loved him," Sandusky coach Mike Franklin said.Stewart, who hasn't taken an official visit, said he also has offers from Tiffin University and Lake Erie College. He'll likely receive more offers in the coming months, but he sounded like he wants to repay the loyalty BGSU has shown."They liked my film and the person I am," he said. "They think I can be better than what I am right now. They like my personality, and academically they're going to help me. They have a plan for me."Stewart said he's worked hard to improve his academics to the point where he can be recruited by an NCAA Division I university. BGSU is a member of the Mid-American Conference."A lot of people put in a lot of time to make sure he's where he needs to be," Franklin said. "He accepted that challenge and obviously everyone is very proud of him."In his Twitter post, Stewart thanked BGSU running backs coach Chris Hedden, his lead recruiter. Hedden got his start in coaching as an assistant at Tiffin Columbian in the early 1990s."Huge shout out to Chris Hedden, for always being there and never giving up on me," Stewart wrote.Hedden is part of a new coaching staff at BGSU led by head coach Scot Loeffler. The Falcons went 3-9 overall last season and head coach Mike Jinks was fired after a 1-6 start.Stewart has a 3-star rating from 247 Sports (out of five) and is ranked No. 101 among high school running backs nationally.The 5-foot-9, 205-pound back is a mix of power and speed. His physical style helped him averaged 10.9 yards per carry last season, winning fans in the stands and his own locker room. Stewart joined the wrestling team last winter and was successful on the mat as a rookie in the sport."He's a Division I talent," Franklin said. "It's been awhile (since Sandusky had a D-I recruit). I think a lot of kids think that they're Division I, but we've been to about 12 camps in the last month and some kids don't realize how good other kids are. Terion always stands out."Stewart will join some familiar faces when he gets to campus in 2020. Recent Norwalk graduates Tche Leroux (defensive end) and Trevon Raymore (running backs) are headed to BGSU as preferred walk-ons.Stewart, meanwhile, is focused on leading the Blue Streaks back to the playoffs this fall."My goal is to make everyone better," he said. "I have a lot of people looking up to me and I have to be a leader." Sandusky's Terion Stewart rushed for a school-record 2,731 yards last season, leading the Blue Streaks to an 8-5 record. Sandusky's Tevin Stewart blocks for his brother Terion Stewart as Terion runs for a touchdown during the Division III regional semifinal game against Lexington on Friday, Nov. 9, 2018, in Willard.Terion Stewart celebrates a big run against Fremont Ross on Friday, Sept. 7, 2018.Sandusky's Terion Stewert wrestles against Bath's Fielden Deeds in the 195-pound match Saturday at Norwalk.Sandusky's Terion Stewart sprints toward the finish line during the 4x100 meter relay at the OHSAA Division I Region 2 Track and Field Championship at Richard S. Cooley Track in Amherst on Friday evening. Register photo/AUSTIN JANNING