The "Ts" have been crossed and the "I’s" dotted.

Wednesday, February 06, 2002

The "Ts" have been crossed and the "I’s" dotted. Roman Fry is officially a Clemson Tiger.

The Ironton Fighting Tigers All-Ohio offensive lineman signed to play for Clemson Wednesday morning on the first day of national letters of intent. Fry verbally committed to Clemson in December.

"It’s a dream come true. I’ve worked real hard at it and my hard’s work has paid off on the field and in the classroom. I’m very happy to be signing with a wonderful place like Clemson," Fry said.

"Before I made my verbal commitment, I watched (Clemson) play Virginia. I took a visit to West Virginia and Cincinnati, but after that I had no regrets. You have to go where you’re wanted and where you want to be."

Fry played at 6-foot-4, 240 pounds, but now tips the scales at 260 pounds. He said the additional pounds are bulk weight.

"It’s good weight. I can still run and jump like before," Fry said.

Clemson coach Tommy Bowden, son of Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden, plans to play Fry at center instead of his usual guard and tackle positions.

"It was originally the plan to play me at left tackle, but they said if I wanted to play early, that center was my best chance. I’ve been working on snapping out of the shotgun and it’s really come along. They run a spread offense and do go under center once in a while. The center calls the blocks, so it’s a hard position to play, but I’m ready to step up to the challenge," Fry said.

A first team all-district selection and second team All-Ohio, Fry was a three-year starter for Ironton which compiled a 31-7 record during that span including three playoff appearances and a state runner-up in 1999.

It was during Fry’s junior season that the college scouts began to take notice and the recruiting process was underway.

"It’s been a real exciting time in my life. It’s been a real experience. I’ve been very anxious for this day to come. All the recruits can’t wait for this day to come," Fry said.

Fry said he narrowed his decision to Clemson and three others teams: West Virginia, Cincinnati, and Wake Forest. He received offers from those schools along with Ohio University, Indiana, Bowling Green, Kent State, Akron, and Toledo. Fry dropped Indiana from the list when coach Cam Cameron was fired. He elected to switch from Indiana to Cincinnati.

Purdue and Ohio State both recruited Fry but did not make an offer. Ohio State did invite Fry to make an official visit.

Marshall did not make an attempt to recruit Fry, but he said it probably would not have been a factor.

"(Marshall) didn’t factor in. You would like to have a college in your back door offer, but I don’t think it would have made a difference. I still would have gone to Clemson. That’s where I still would have gone even if they did make me an offer," Fry said.

Fry is the son of Angel and Ed Fry of Ironton.