The magic words came at the end of Ohio University’s two-a-day football practices in August.

Chad Clemens doesn’t remember the exact phrasing used by head coach Frank Solich, but “you’re on scholarship” is close enough.

For Clemens, a 5-foot-11, 215-pound linebacker from Bellbrook, earning a Division I football scholarship is just part of the process.

Next on the agenda is gaining a starting spot. The long-term goal is helping the Bobcats win a Mid-American Conference championship.

Most of Clemens’ playing time is on special teams, in which he has done well.

For blocking a punt in a 28-7 defeat of Miami University on Saturday, Oct. 17, he was named the MAC East Division special teams player of the week.

“Finally earning a scholarship is so satisfying on so many levels it’s hard to describe,” Clemens said. “You put in so much hard work just to get off the scout teams onto the varsity.

“Then you have to work even harder to hope to get some field time or make the traveling squad. It was really tough at times to keep going. I wondered if it was worth it, but my Dad (Rick) and brothers (Luke and Nate) really helped me keep my head up and stay with it.”

The scholarship (tuition, fees, room and board) is worth $19,000 per year.

All in the family

Chad is not the first in the family to walk on and receive a scholarship. Luke walked on at Miami. He became a starting running back for the RedHawks from 2001-04 and earned All-MAC honors.

Nate started his college football career at Eastern Kentucky. He transferred to OU and made the football team as a walk-on. He saw game action from 2005-07 but never received financial aid.

In high school Chad Clemens earned All-Southwestern Buckeye League honors. He received little D-I college interest due to grades and size (5 feet 10, 190 pounds).

“I had visited Nate at OU a lot and really liked the school,” he said. “If you’re going to walk on, you better like the school, because there’s the chance you might not make the team.”

Clemens attended Milford (N.Y.) Academy in 2005-06, improving his grades to become an NCAA qualifier.

He transferred to OU in the spring of 2006, going through spring practice. The fall of 2007 was officially his freshman year. He was on the scout team and saw some late-game action on special teams.

On the run

Last season he made the varsity and played in home games on special teams. Continued improvement in spring practice and fall drills earned him the scholarship and playing time.

“We’re pretty deep at linebacker so a lot of guys rotate in and out,” Clemens said. “I’m better against the run, so I’ll be in there when the other team is using a lot of running back/tight end formations. Not much against the spread.”

Through seven games he had seven solo tackles and five assists.

Special teams had been his strong suit. He had been close on blocking four punts during the season before getting one vs. Miami.

“I was lined up in a gap and we had another player looping around,” he said. “The Miami blocker took our guy looping. That let me free. I blocked it with my hands, which was good. You don’t want to get kicked in the head.

“It was a great feeling coming off the field with 20,000 people at homecoming cheering.”