Ohio State football: Luke Farrell talks reuniting with Urban Meyer

Luke Farrell got to play for Urban Meyer on the Ohio State football team and now he will get to again in the NFL. We spoke to him to find out what he thinks about reuniting with Meyer.

The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Ohio State tight end Luke Farrell in the 5th round of the 2021 NFL Draft last Thursday. Farrell spent four seasons with the Buckeyes, leading Big Ten tight ends with 17.0 yards per reception in 2019, before graduating this year. He’ll reunite with his former head coach and recently hired Urban Meyer in Jacksonville.

“Draft week was a little stressful but nice. I was back at home in northeast Ohio with some family and friends. I actually got the phone call from Ryan Stamper, who worked at OSU for my entire time there,” Farrell told me. “So I wasn’t totally sure that was ‘the call’ until he handed the phone off to coach Meyer.”

Farrell and Meyer have a relationship that dates back to 2012 when the 4-star tight end from Perry High School was being recruited. After originally picking the Fighting Irish, Farrell committed to Ohio State over Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oregon, Penn State, and 10 others. He went on to help the Buckeyes go 45-5 from 2017-2020.

“The most special part for me was the relationships I formed and grew during my time at Ohio State. Those are some bonds that will last the rest of my life,” Farrell explained. “There are some incredible people there and that’s also a big reason why the program was successful. It was a lot of great people working together towards our goals.”

Ohio State had a lot of lofty goals last season but one of them was certainly getting revenge on Clemson in the College Football Playoff. Farrell played a large role in the 49-28 victory over the Tigers, finishing with two receptions including an 8-yard catch to tie the game 14-14 late in the first quarter.

“The play I scored on against Clemson got adjusted a little bit just for that game, which changed my route slightly. But I was very proud to be there when they needed me,” Farrell said. “Justin (Fields) made it easier by putting a laser on my left shoulder. It was an incredible feeling to score in that situation of that game.”

Farrell will play with, instead of against, a couple Clemson players in Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne, who were also drafted by the Jaguars a week ago. Farrell discussed what it will be like to join them in Jacksonville:  “It is going to be great to play with those guys. They’re both elite players and make it so exciting to be a part of this offense.”

Even though Farrell has shown the ability to make an impact in the passing game at times, totaling 380 yards and four touchdowns on 34 receptions in 43 games at Ohio State, the majority of his time in the NFL will be focused around run-blocking and protecting the quarterback. Farrell did that at an elite level in 2020.

“I love the grind. I’m ready to get there and go to work every day to help our offense be successful. My game is tough and versatile,” Luke Farrell explained. “I can do whatever they ask me to at tight end at a high level. My goal is to get in and learn the playbook, earn the trust of my coaches and teammates, earn that playing time and help us win.”

The Ohio State football program had 10 players taken in the 2021 NFL Draft: Justin Fields (11th pick), Pete Werner (60th pick), Josh Myers (62nd pick), Wyatt Davis (86th pick), Trey Sermon (88th pick), Baron Browning (105th pick), Tommy Togiai (132nd pick), Luke Farrell (145th pick), Shaun Wade (160th pick), and Jonathon Cooper (239th pick).