By: Michael Love


Friday, April 17, 2026 | 7:01 PM

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Jimmy Kalis will play his college football at Ohio State.

Central Catholic’s 6-foot-8, 285-pound star lineman, surrounded by family, friends and other supporters, gave a verbal commitment to the Buckeyes live on Rivals’ YouTube channel Friday evening.

He thanked many of the people who supported him along his journey, including teammates and coaches.

“I want to thank all of the schools that gave me a chance and believed in me,” Kalis said. “I am really thankful and blessed for all these opportunities I got.”

The soon-to-be senior chose Ohio State over a group of five other finalists that included Georgia, Texas, Clemson, Miami and LSU.

Kalis, a Rivals 4-star offensive tackle, collected more than 40 Power Four scholarship offers with Alabama, Cal, Duke, Florida, Florida State, Indiana, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Pitt, Purdue, Tennessee, Washington, WVU and Wisconsin among the others.

He is the No. 234 overall prospect and No. 21 offensive tackle in the Class of 2027, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking.

Kalis went through an extensive recruiting process that included visits to several of the top schools on his list.

In an interview with Rivals in February, Kalis said Ohio State was “very high on my list because they have been there and been very consistent since Day 1. They develop OL at a high level and have an elite culture and they take pride in getting guys to the next level.”

Kalis was part of a powerful Central Catholic offensive line in 2025 that helped the Vikings rack up 40.8 points per game.

Central Catholic went undefeated in Class 6A, finished 13-2 overall, defeated North Allegheny, 42-7, for the WPIAL title and advanced to the PIAA championship game before falling to La Salle College.

Kalis’ efforts were celebrated with numerous all-star honors including an all-conference second-team nod.

“It’s been an awesome ride watching Jimmy grow and mature,” Central Catholic coach Ryan Lehmeier said. “He’s earned this opportunity. He’s played really well throughout his career with us. He’s a great kid who is so focused on what he wants, and he’s worked so hard towards that. He’s been a delight to coach, and I hope all of our kids are able to reach their max potential. For guys like Jimmy to have this opportunity, I couldn’t be more happy for him.”

Kalis has had a strong support system, and throughout the recruiting process, he leaned on the experience of both his father, Todd, and older brother, Kyle.

Todd Kalis, a Minnesota native, attended Division I Arizona State as a 6-6, 300-pound guard and was selected by the Vikings in the fourth round of the 1988 NFL Draft. He played for the Vikings, Steelers and Bengals over his eight-year NFL career.

Kyle Kalis, recruited by Michigan out of St. Edward High School in suburban Cleveland, got an opportunity as a lineman (6-4, 305) in the NFL with Washington, Indianapolis, Cleveland, and Oakland from 2017-2020.

Jimmy’s mother, Kristen, was a former college basketball player. She is 6-1.

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

Tags: Central Catholic

RICHLAND COUNTY — Three Republican candidates have filed to run for Ohio’s 5th District Court of Appeals, setting up a contest for the six-year judicial term.

The position carries a salary of $187,013 in 2026.

The candidates in the Republican primary include Licking County Municipal Court Judge Matthew George, Chief Legal Counsel to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor Matt Donahue, and attorney Jeff Furr.

Voters will choose one nominee in the Republican primary to advance to the general election.

Matthew George: Licking County judge emphasizes originalist judicial philosophy

Matthew George, 45, currently serves as a judge on the Licking County Municipal Court.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Ashland University in 2002 and a Juris Doctor from Washington and Lee University School of Law in 2007.

George said he believes a judge must interpret the Constitution and laws based on their plain meaning as understood at the time of adoption.

“Ohio needs judges who will faithfully apply the law, not rewrite it,” George added. “At every level of government, we have seen activist judges impose their own views instead of following the Constitution and statutes as written.

“When judges depart from that standard, they create uncertainty, inject personal preferences into the law and allow shifting political winds to dictate outcomes,” he said. “That is not justice, and it is not how our system of government was designed to work.”

Experience and judicial philosophy

He first ran for office in 2019, stating he wanted to ensure judges reflect values many Ohioans possess – faith, liberty, limited government and a proper understanding of the constitutional system. 

“Those principles continue to guide me today, and they are the reason I am running for the Court of Appeals,” he said. 

He added three things differentiate him from his opponents – experience, judicial philosophy and independence. 

George noted he is the only candidate who has served on the bench, with 18 years of judicial experience. 

“That means I have a proven record of applying the law fairly, treating people with respect and making tough decisions based on facts and the law, not outside pressure,” he said. 

He described himself as a consistent, proven conservative and an originalist, stating he has applied that philosophy throughout his career.

George added judges should not act as extensions of political offices.

“I have spent my career as an independent judge and magistrate,” he said. “I will continue to apply the law as written, without influence or agenda.”

“At the end of the day, this race comes down to proven experience, a consistent conservative record and true judicial independence,” he added. “Those are the qualities I bring to the bench.” 

Matt Donahue: Legal advisor highlights prosecutorial and appellate experience

Matt Donahue, 46, currently serves as Chief Legal Counsel to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor. Prior to those roles, he was the chief of the Special Prosecutions Section of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office.

He earned a Bachelor of Science cum laude from Bethany College and a Juris Doctor from the University of Dayton School of Law. He has not previously held elected office.

Donahue said he is running for the 5th District Court of Appeals because appellate courts play a critical but often under-recognized role in the justice system.

“It is critical to our state and country that the law is applied with consistently conservative legal principles in order to ensure that legal decisions are fair and just,” he said. 

Donahue cites legal experience

He pointed to his experience as a prosecutor and legal advisor as evidence of that commitment.

“I spent over a decade as a prosecutor handling the most difficult of cases at both the county and the Ohio Attorney General’s office,” he said. “I have a lot of experience in the court of appeals. As a special prosecutor, I was involved with criminal cases in every county in this 15-county district.”

Donahue said appellate experience is essential for the position, noting he has written, argued and participated in numerous appeals and original actions in Ohio’s Courts of Appeals and the Ohio Supreme Court.

He also cited his involvement in an original action at the Ohio Supreme Court seeking to require a three-judge panel to follow the law as written.

Donahue said he played a major role in the legal aspects of redistricting for years.

“While as judge I will always follow the law and be impartial. I have a record of conservative legal actions that are unmatched,” he said. “I advised on the Heartbeat bill and was in the room when it was signed. I advised on the signing of constitutional carry and stand-your-ground law.” 

He highlighted several professional recognitions, including the Ohio Division of Wildlife Award of Recognition (May 2011), the Attorney General’s Outstanding Achievement Award, Ohio Attorney General’s Office (2013), Meritorious Assistant Prosecutor, Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association (2010), among others. 

Donahue added his wife, Jill, began her television career at WMFD, and his father-in-law, Gene Del Greco, worked for the Richland County Engineer for many years.

He also noted one of his most prominent endorsements is from Jim Tressel.

Jeff Furr: Attorney emphasizes broad experience and appellate background

Jeff Furr, 65, is an attorney with more than 30 years of legal experience.

He has a Bachelor’s degree in Computer and Information Science from The Ohio State University College of Engineering, as well as a Master of Business Administration, a law degree with honors and a Master of Laws in Taxation, all from Capital University.

Furr previously served two terms on Johnstown City Council.

He said he is seeking the position to give back to the community.

“I have a diverse background with experience in law, technology, business and government which is needed for the Court of Appeals as it hears all types of cases,” Furr said. “My background, experience and education make me the perfect candidate for this office.”

Furr highlights military service and experience 

Furr said he is the only candidate with military experience, having served in the Ohio Army National Guard, and is a member of the American Legion. 

He described himself as a constitutional conservative who believes courts should interpret — not make — the law. He also emphasized his strong family values, noting he has a spouse, children, and grandchildren.

“I will work hard to make sure people have access to the court system,” he added.

Furr said he has more than 30 endorsements from elected officials within the 5th District.

He has argued before a court one level below the U.S. Supreme Court and is licensed to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.

He also pointed to his private-sector experience, including more than a decade as a computer programmer, and noted he worked while attending law school and graduated with honors.

“I am not a career politician and will serve only one term,” he added. “I will work hard to make sure people have access to the court system.”

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Hail slammed parts of Northeast Ohio Wednesday, with Cuyahoga County seeing two-inch hail for the first time in six years.

Homes in the Solon area were hit hard. Windows were busted out, siding was punctured, and roofs need repair.

Ricky Campopiano, Owner of Campo Roofing, said his phone started ringing when he opened for business, primarily from people in the Solon area.

“We had over 1,000 people call our office and ask for us to come out,” Campopiano said.

Roof damage widespread

Campopiano said the damage was severe across the area.

“Pretty much every roof that I looked at [Thursday] had damage that you could see from the ground. It was a no-brainer, it has to get replaced,” he said.

Many homeowners likely called their insurance companies Thursday. Campopiano said insurers sometimes push back on full replacements.

“A lot of the times companies don’t want to replace all of the shingles, they just want to replace a facet or two,” he said.

Under Ohio law, if new shingles don’t match the color or quality of the ones already on a roof, the insurance company may be required to replace more of the roof until it looks the way it did before the storm.

The next 24 hours for damaged homes could include a tarp covering the roof to stop further damage.

Campopiano said after protecting the home the process involves identifying damage and having insurance come out to make sure everyone is on the same page when it comes to method of repair.

With so many homes damaged across northeast Ohio, repairs could take months or even years, depending on how bad the damage is, Campopiano said.

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