Ramsey senior Logan Bahn, show here in last season's state basketball tournament, has accepted a preferred walk-on offer from Penn State football.

RAMSEY – With his 6-foot-5, 300-pound frame, Ramsey’s Logan Bahn figured that a college would take on his combination of size and athleticism that he packages with a high GPA. He was right in that assessment with various Ivy League and Patriot League schools vying for his services. While he would have been happy to attend and play at any of those schools, he had bigger aspirations. His ultimate goal was to be an offensive lineman at a major Division 1 school, playing out his dream in front of a sold-out stadium and a nationwide television audience. While those chances dwindled as his senior year began, Bahn never stopped working and never lost faith.

Just when those prospects looked like they might disappear, it happened.

Penn State University offered Bahn a preferred walk-on position, and after a visit knew it was going to be his new home. He accepted the offer to fulfill his dream of being a Nittany Lion and playing high-level football in the Big Ten.

Bahn, a three-year starter, has become a physical force along the line for the Rams. He helped them advance to the section semifinals last year before losing to eventual Group 2 state champion Caldwell. His ability to get a strong push off the ball, especially in the run game, allowed the Rams to take control early in games. That along with a high GPA helped schools University of Pennsylvania, Cornell, Bucknell, Georgetown, and Bryant take notice of his high I.Q. on and off the football field.

But his sights were set on the big time. Penn State saw the size, a player who was willing to put in the work, and someone who could learn the playbook quickly, and had Bahn come in to take a look. Once he visited, he was immediately hooked.

“The guys on the team were great and the coaches were very relatable, it put me at ease right away,” said Bahn, who projects as an offensive guard but could also be used at tackle. “Once they offered that PWO spot, I knew it was where I was meant to be. Obviously, there is a lot I have to learn. Not just in terms of learning the playbook, hitting the weight room, and in the film room, but also just getting around campus every day, staying on top of my grades, and using time management properly.”

Now with his college choice out of the way, Bahn can turn his focus back to his current job of paving the way the Rams. After a rough start to the season, they have won 3 of their last 4 games, including one on Friday night over Mahwah on a field goal on the final play of the game. Next up will be perennial Group 2 power Newton (5-1). With their potential for making the Group 2 state playoffs still hanging in the balance, Bahn knows every time he steps on the field could be his last in a Ramsey uniform. He is now even more determined to keep this ride going as long as possible.

“With a lot of young guys, it took us awhile for us to jell,” added Bahn, who was also a key piece in the Rams’ North 1, Group 2 section championship basketball team. “We’re finally hitting our stride and we’re playing better than we have been all season. This team feels like we’re the team nobody will want to play come state tournament time. Now it’s about working together and keeping this thing going as long as we possibly can.”

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