COAL GROVE — One might say that Brett Klaiber always comes late to the party, but once he gets there he’s the life of the party.
The Coal Grove Hornets standout lineman took a crafts class in his senior year and found a love connected with music.
Klaiber said he just started learning to play the guitar.
“I’m in this class called guitar building and we were building guitars and I learned how to play it after I built it,” said Klaiber.
Besides learning to play the guitar, Klaiber didn’t begin learning how to play football until he was in the eighth grade.
“I had a couple of friends who said, ‘Hey, you should come and try out for the team,” said Klaiber. “I went out and tried and I liked it.”
Klaiber proved to be a fast learner as he became a three-year starter for the Hornets and the 6-foot-3, 275-pound senior was first team Southeast All-District and Honorable Mention All-Ohio in Division 6 this past season.
That success fueled another late decision to play college football and he realized that dream when he signed a letter-of-intent on Wednesday to play for the Ohio Wesleyan Bishops.
“After football season around November I was thinking maybe I want to play at the next level,” said Klaiber who was contacted by Wittenberg, Ohio Northern and Otterbein as well as Ohio Wesleyan.
“A couple of colleges reached out, I went on a couple of visits and decided to pick this one.”
Klaiber said there were several factors that influenced his decision to play for the Bishops who were 6-4 last season including 6-2 and finished second in the North Coast Athletic Conference.
“I really loved the area around it, I loved their football and their team and the way they play football and their program,” he said.
Klaiber played both offensive and defensive lineman for the Hornets but will focus on just one side at the college level.
“They want to play me on defense at defensive end,” said Klaiber. “They want me on the defensive side and I prefer the defensive side.”
Coal Grove head coach Jay Lucas said he has no doubts that Klaiber can play for the Bishops.
“Brett has all kinds of abilities. He has good size, good speed, and power. I think he’ll do a fantastic job at the next level. He’s a definite college player,” said Lucas.
Klaiber knows he won’t have anything handed to him and he’ll have to work hard to play.
“It’s going to take a lot. I’m going to have to work hard and I’m going to have to work hard this summer leading into the season,” said Klaiber.
“It’s looking pretty good for my chances to play. I think I have what it takes to be high on the depth chart and maybe start my freshman year. I just want to do the best I can.”
Klaiber said he has developed a good relationship with 12-year head coach Tom Watts and the staff.
“The coaches were really wanting me to come up there. They were always talking to me and wanting to see me. They message me every day. So, I’m excited,” said Klaiber.
Klaiber plans to major in education with plans to teach and coach.
“I want to teach Social Studies and coaching, too,” said Klaiber.
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