From the Western Buckeye League to the Ivy League.
Bath senior Lucas Prichard, a standout on both the offensive and defensive line, will be making that transition next season after officially committing to play football at Yale Wednesday.
“This is big,” Prichard said. “I mean it would have been big wherever I signed but for me and for Yale it felt right. It felt like a family and I love football and I want to continue to play.”
Prichard was a third-team, all-Ohio selection in 2021, a first-team, all-Northwest District and was co-defensive lineman of the year in the Western Buckeye League. He was second-team All-WBL as an offensive lineman. Last season on defense he made 45 tackles with 10 tackles for loss and seven sacks. He was credited with three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and 16 quarterback pressures.
Prichard was sought after by a number of programs and visited six schools, primarily in Ohio. However, he decided on Yale.
“Yale just stood out for me,” Prichard said. “From the moment I got there and stepped in the room with the players it was like this was home and that is exactly how I felt. The only way I’m coming out of Ohio and traveling more than three hours is if it is Yale.”
Yale is coming off a 5-5 overall record and a 4-3 record in the Ivy League.
Prichard said he is ready to take on the challenges Yale offers both on and off the gridiron. He plans on studying biomedical engineering and carries a 3.72 GPA.
“Academically it is strenuous. Everyone knows that but they have a great system set in place to help you,” Prichard said. “It is Division I football and that is going to work me hard but I think that is going to better me.”
Bath head coach Ryan Reindel said is a great role model for younger players.
“He is a physical football player,” Reindel said. “He shows up to work every day and wants to get better and make his teammates get better. He pushes himself in the weight room and pushes himself everyday. He is a student of the game and his size and strength helps a little bit but it is his hard work and time and dedication he has put into the weight room and fine tuning his craft has separated himself from the competition that he played in this area.
Reindel added that he is confident Prichard can excel at the next level because of his ability to learn and continually work every day.
“For the other guys he is a great leader and is always helping the other players but he also gives back to our community,” Prichard said. “He’s going to leave a legacy that is going to last a long time because of the impact he’s made with our younger kids.”
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