As the final seconds ticked off and the Ohio State Buckeyes were capturing their first national football championship since 2014, Max LeBlanc could only contemplate how far he had come in such a short time.
“For me, coming from Canada where there’s nothing like this, it’s kind of crazy,” the 19-year-old St-Bruno native told The Gazette Wednesday night by telephone from Columbus, Ohio. “There was a roller-coaster of emotions during the game. It was a big relief for the team. Everybody was so happy at the end. It was nice to see and feel, especially when you’re part of it. It was awesome.”
The Buckeyes defeated Notre Dame 34-23 on Monday before 77,660 spectators at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, completing a magical post-season run that saw sixth-ranked Ohio State defeat Tennessee at home before beating top-ranked Oregon in the Rose Bowl followed by a victory over Texas in the Cotton Bowl.
The Buckeyes finished the season with a 14-2 record, but a 13-10 defeat on Nov. 30 to bitter rival Michigan at Ohio Stadium — Ohio State was a 21-point favourite and the loss eliminated the team from playing for the Big 10 championship — was a low point and made it hard to envision the magical ending.
LeBlanc, who committed to the prestigious NCAA Division I school more than a year in advance after being recruited by no fewer than 31 programs, was in uniform on the sideline for the title game although, as a rookie, he didn’t play. Nonetheless, the future appears promising for the 6-foot-4, 230-pound tight end.
LeBlanc played in five games this season — four during the regular season along with the Tennessee playoff match. And while he was only used as a blocker and had no receiving stats, he became the 12th member of the freshman class to have his black stripe removed on Oct. 17 as part of the team’s initiation ritual, an indication he was an “official” member of the squad.
“This year was all about the experience, getting used to the big stage,” LeBlanc explained. “Going to a national championship as a freshman, it’s not something that happens to everybody. Learning about the culture, the program, living it through the bowl games and travelling. As a freshman, that’s the best route you can get experience-wise. I couldn’t be more grateful for this.
“The passion the people have for the team, it’s out of this world, in the building and outside. You don’t get fans that are more passionate. You can see it in the building in every coach’s eyes. To see how the team stuck together after a loss like that to a rival. It was awesome to see how we bounced back.”
An injury to Will Kacmarek allowed LeBlanc the opportunity to get some late-game snaps — he made his debut against Western Michigan on Sept. 7 — although he was still listed behind four other tight ends on the depth chart.
“I gained a lot of experience,” LeBlanc said. “Now it’s about putting everything I learned my first year into improving and getting better … getting bigger, faster and stronger … trusting my coaches to know when I’m ready to play.”
LeBlanc, an agricultural system management major, said he has zero regrets over his choice in schools and football programs, and remains committed to the Buckeyes. His transition was made easier after he attended a Tennessee-based prep school.
LeBlanc spent two seasons playing for the Baylor Red Raiders. He caught 39 passes for 695 yards while scoring three touchdowns as a junior, completing his high school career with 10 touchdowns and 884 receiving yards. Baylor captured the state DII-AA championship. LeBlanc was considered a four-star prospect, according to 247Sports and one of the top-ranked tight ends nationally in his class.
“The feeling this season was a lot different than when you’re playing,” he admitted. “When I was playing in Tennessee and we won the feeling was a lot stronger for sure, but it doesn’t change. You did your part, put in your work and did your job. That’s the main thing.”
While LeBlanc admitted he gets lonely and homesick at times, he said his experience at Baylor helped prepare him for any culture shock moving to a bigger program and stage. He hopes to eventually use his degree following graduation to become a farmer — following an eventual pro football career of course.
“Being from Canada, a freshman and going to the big stage, it’s really something,” he said. “It’s awesome to be a national champion. It’s something that will follow me my whole life. I’m just grateful.”