Everyone was smiling even if it was a mock signing ceremony when Tommy Ziesmer "signed" with Kentucky Tuesday. (Larry Vaught Photo)
Not long after Justin Haddix was named head coach at Boyle County following the 2019 football season, he got a look at then freshman defensive lineman Tommy Ziesmer as he was watching game film.
“Even as a freshman you could see how physical he was and what a special player he was,” said Haddix.
Even though Ziesmer cannot officially sign his scholarship with the University of Kentucky until next week, Boyle host a “mock” signing for him Tuesday while teammates were still at school to celebrate with him.
Travis Burns, Boyle’s defensive coordinator, watched Ziesmer develop not only into one of the state’s best players but also a player who helped the Rebels win three straight state championships.
“Tommy had every excuse in the world not to do this or that. He never used them,” Burns said. “He was always grinding. He is a great player.”
Ziesmer always seemed to be at his best in big games. In this year’s Class 4A state title win over Corbin, he ran for the game-winning touchdown, had a key second half quarterback sack, made three solo tackles, blocked an extra point and played the entire game in the offensive line in the 32-26 win.
“He’s not just the kind of kid who would play defense like he will in college,” Haddix said. “I mentioned to him that for us to win (state) and to be the best we could be, we needed him to play OL (offensive line). He said, ‘I gotcha.’”
That sacrifice was not a big deal to Ziesmer but Haddix knew that meant he was not as fresh on defense to face teams eager to try and beat the UK commit.
“He got everybody’s best and just kept making plays for us,” the Boyle coach said. “That’s just the kind of kid he is and who he is. Kentucky is getting a very special person and player.”
It was a festive atmosphere with many of Ziesmer’s teammates there along with family and friends. He posed for picture after picture and often it was Ziesmer — decked out in his blue Kentucky pullover — asking for friends to come pose with him.
Even Boyle athletics director/assistant coach Travis Leffew, a former All-American offensive lineman at Kentucky, got into the spirit.
“This is the only time you will hear me say this, Go Cats!” Leffew said.
Ziesmer smiled when he heard Leffew say that but he was also smiling most of the 30 minutes during his event.
“I am just so excited,” he said. “I’ve waited for this and cannot wait to get to Kentucky.”
He will be an early enrollee at Kentucky in January and will room with Madison Central offensive lineman Malachi Wood.
