Roman Catholic’s Austin Ramsey is a big lineman with room to develop as he prepares for a future at Kentucky

After getting a taste of Big Blue Nation, Roman Catholic High School offensive tackle Austin Ramsey wasted no time in committing to the University of Kentucky.

Just three days after his official visit to Kentucky, the 6-foot-4, 360-pounder announced his commitment to the Wildcats. Even though Ramsey had several local offers — including from Penn State, Rutgers, and Temple — it was in Lexington that he felt comfortable.

“As soon as I got off the plane, I just felt really at home,” Ramsey said. “All the coaches and everyone were just really nice to me and my family.”

Kentucky wasn’t always a front-runner to land the three-star recruit, and Ramsey wasn’t interested in the Wildcats at first. That changed, however, after Ramsey forged a relationship with Kentucky offensive line coach Zach Yenser.

“I wasn’t really interested in Kentucky until Coach Yenser got to speak to me,” Ramsey said. “I fell in love with Kentucky just building a relationship with him and getting to know him.”

Yenser joined Kentucky in February after spending the last three years as the running game coordinator and offensive line coach for the San Francisco 49ers. That NFL experience helped Yenser establish trust with Ramsey, and the two had many conversations centered on ways Yenser planned to develop Ramsey.

Yenser told Ramsey that the young lineman’s game reminded him of that of 49ers lineman Aaron Banks, a second-round draft pick last year. He led Ramsey to believed he could develop to one day play at that level.

Part of that development involved Yenser’s idea to transition Ramsey from tackle, the position he plays in high school, to guard. As an interior lineman, Ramsey would be less responsible for pass protection and would focus more on run blocking.

Ramsey has embraced the idea, especially after learning that his favorite NFL player, 49ers tackle Trent Williams, also played the guard spot in college.

“I think if you learn how to do the run block, then you can be any player on the line,” Ramsey said. “I think that’s important for me to have to learn the steps.”

Although it’s likely Ramsey will shift to guard at Kentucky, he figures to line up at tackle for Roman this fall. This season will mark Ramsey’s second with the Cahillites. The Chester native played his first two years of high school ball at Owen J. Roberts.

It was at Owen J. Roberts that Ramsey earned his nickname “House.” The moniker, which was given by an assistant coach on the team, was rooted in Ramsey’s frame: He already was 6-4 with a large frame when he entered high school.

Ramsey became known for playing a physical brand of football, and his power became a defining part of his game.

“I definitely like to bring in a lot of power, just finishing plays and playing with violence all the time,” he said.

At Roman, Ramsey transformed into a full-fledged Division I recruit. A major part of that rise came from joining a team with many talented players.

Every day in practice, Ramsey has the chance to compete against players like edge rusher Jameial Lyons, who has committed to Penn State, and linebacker Jordan Montgomery, who has offers from Maryland, Syracuse, and Temple. That competition has been invaluable in turning Ramsey into a top-20 player in the state.

“By the time we get to a game, Austin has taken hundreds of reps against guys who are going to be just as good, if not better, [than] the guys we play against,” Roman coach Rick Prete said.

» READ MORE: Jameial Lyons committed to a position switch and becoming Penn State’s edge rusher of the future

Said Ramsey: “Playing at practice every day, I’ve gotten really good at one-on-ones. … Just seeing those players at that caliber playing every day, it’s really sharpening my skills.”

Last year, in his first season with Roman, Ramsey put those skills on full display. In pass protection, he utilized his wingspan and spatial awareness to disrupt the paths of edge rushers. He also made an impact as a run blocker, and in short-yardage situations, he became the lineman Prete trusted the most.

The Chester native has become known for his ability to win battles right from the point of contact.

“I think he was just born with an elite initial punch,” Prete said. “I’m glad he’s on our side, because there’s not anybody that he’s going to lock on to [who’s] going to get loose.

“Just from a sort of sheer physical standpoint, he understands how to use his leverage.”

Ramsey will look to continue to deploy his physicality this season as he hopes to help Roman bounce back from a 3-7 season.

“Focused on helping out the team, doing my part … winning a state championship, getting ready for college,” he said.