To be quite frank, Austin Dorris was a dominant player during his prep career at Shadyside.

It led him to earn a scholarship offer Indiana University, which he eventually accepted and signed a National Letter of Intent to continue his football career with the Hoosiers.

However, Dorris has had to learn a couple of tough lessons during his career thus far with the Hoosiers. Actually, they’re life skills, so Dorris isn’t complaining.

“I learned a lot about myself and perseverance since I got to Indiana,” Dorris said during a phone interview earlier this week.

Dorris, who played quarterback for the Tigers, has been battling for time on a crowded Hoosiers’ depth chart at tight end since taking a red shirt during the 2015 season.

“It was tough,” Dorris said of biding his time. “I never thought about quitting or transferring or anything like that. I realized that I had to work harder.”

And that’s exactly what he did and it’s paying dividends now as a red-shirt junior who will be lining up against the Ohio State Buckeyes Saturday afternoon in Ohio Stadium.

Dorris’ work and improvements caught the eyes of the coaching staff, including head coach Tom Allen, during the spring and carried into fall camp.

“When spring practice started, I pretty much knew this was going to by my last opportunity to show that I can play,” Dorris admitted. “And I had a good spring. It’s fulfilling to have been able to make the transition because of the work that was invested.”

Allen actually lauded Dorris’ improvements during his opening-week media conference.

“It’s a good feeling to know that the work you’ve been doing has been noticed,” Dorris said. “I worked hard my first couple of years, but I will admit that I wasn’t probably as invested into it as much mentally as I should have been and that led to me not playing as much. I have since fully dedicated myself to it in every aspect and now I am starting to enjoy the fruits of the labor and it feels good.”

Dorris is part of a three-man rotation at tight end and has caught a pass this season, which was the first of his career. He also sees time on special teams.

“The work never stops because getting noticed and getting on the field is just a small victory,” Dorris admitted. “If you stop doing the necessary work, you’ll end up back on the sidelines just as quick because we have three tight ends who are more than capable.”

According to Dorris, nothing changes when any of the tight ends are on the field because Allen has that much confidence in all three guys.

“Whether you’re catching the ball or pass or run blocking, you have to be focused on every play,” Dorris said. “The next game you may get multiple passes thrown to you. You simply can’t have too many highs and lows.”

The Hoosiers come into the meeting with the undefeated Buckeyes at 4-1. Indiana gave Ohio State all it wanted for the better part of three quarters last season before the Buckeyes pulled away.

Dorris is one of 13 Ohioans on the Hoosiers’ roster. He’s admitted many times that he grew up a die-hard Buckeyes’ fan, but that’s all in the past. He and his teammates are coming to Columbus looking for a win to validate how far they’ve come as a program.

“We have the ability to win this game, but it’s going to come down to playing a full 60 minutes,” Dorris said. “Their depth probably wore us down some last year, but we’re getting a bigger contribution from a lot more guys this season.”

The Hoosiers are coming off a 24-17 win at Rutgers. The Buckeyes defeated the Scarlet Knights, 52-3, in Week 2 of the season. Dorris cautions, however, do not get caught up in comparing scores.

“I know how badly Ohio State beat Rutgers and that Kansas beat them, too, but they’re not a bad team,” Dorris said. “College football wins, especially on the road, are hard to come by. You have to come out ready to play your best game. It’s the most important game because it’s the next one.”

Along with his preparation for the Buckeyes and academic work, Dorris has spent a lot of time this week trying to secure tickets. Each player is guaranteed four. That’s not enough, however. As of earlier in the week, Dorris had gotten three extra tickets, but was still short three.

“I have to try to get tickets for every game,” Dorris joked. “My mom and her husband come, my dad and his girlfriend come. My sister and her boyfriend come along with aunts, grandparents, etc. And now when you add in it’s at Ohio State and that’s less than two hours from home, it’s tougher.”

Dorris is on track to graduate this winter, but his future with the Hoosiers’ football program hasn’t been determined. A graduating player who still has a season of eligibility remaining has to “be asked back” by the coaching staff.

“I am still trying to get a feel for that,” Dorris admitted. “I want to come back and I plan to be back and work on getting my master’s.”

Here’s a look at other area products:

Division I

COLTON McKIVITZ, West Virginia — The Union Local grad started and played well for the Mountaineers in their victory against Texas Tech last Saturday.

JOSH SILLS, West Virginia — The Meadowbrook product started once again at guard for the Mountaineers.

ROSS COMIS, UMass — Madonna alumnus completed 3-of-5 passes for 55 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Ohio University.

ELIJAH BELL, North Carolina A&T — Wheeling Park grad caught five passes for 30 yards in the Aggies’ victory last week.

CHUCKWUDI CHUCKWU, Ohio — Linsly School product played in the Bobcats’ victory against UMass.

MAALIK RICHMOND, Youngstown State — Steubenville graduate had a tackle in the Penguins’ loss to Western Illinois.

Division II

ROBERT VARGO, Ohio Dominican — Martins Ferry graduate started at tackle once again for Ohio Dominican in a win.

MATT BARBOUR, Ohio Dominican — Martins Ferry product played in the ODU victory last week.

COLE SKAGGS, West Virginia Wesleyan — St. Clairsville graduate posted four tackles, including one for loss in last week’s setback.

MATT HACKATHORN, Gannon — Wheeling Park graduate started again at right tackle for the Knights.

CLAY MCDONALD, West Liberty — Wheeling Park graduate posted six tackles in the Hilltoppers’ loss last week.

BRENTON COLABELLA, West Liberty — Steubenville Central graduate came on in relief to complete 32-of-48 passes for 311 yards and two touchdowns.

TYLER ELY, West Liberty — Steubenville product started on the offensive line for the Hilltoppers.

CLIFFORD CLARK, West Liberty — Cambridge graduate posted 16 tackles in last week’s loss.

CHANCE RUCKER, West Liberty — Caldwell graduate started at right tackle.

AUSTIN WHIPKEY, West Liberty — Linsly product started at right guard.

KYLE RITZ, West Liberty — Magnolia graduate played in last week’s loss.

CODY RINE, West Liberty — Brooke graduate posted a tackle in the loss.

ZACH CONNOR, West Liberty — Indian Creek product played in last week’s loss.

MAZEY MOSBY, West Liberty — Wheeling Park graduate caught 2 passes for 41 yards in last week’s game.

JACK DAVIS, West Liberty — Martins Ferry graduate appeared in last week’s game.

CODY ENRIETTI, West Liberty — The Weir High graduate had six tackles last week.

THEO BLACKSTON, Mercyhurst — Wheeling Park graduate had two receptions for 15 yards.

DEVON HARRIS, Walsh — St. Clairsville graduate appeared in last week’s win over Kentucky Wesleyan.

ALIJAH DEMITRAS, Walsh — Steubenville graduate started once again along the offensive line for the Cavaliers.

Division III

TANNER CLARK, Marietta — Caldwell graduate put forth another huge game in the Pioneers’ win over Ohio Northern. He rushed 34 times for 180 yards and two touchdowns.

GAGE GIOVENGO, Marietta — Linsly product caught two passes for 46 yards in last week’s win.

PARKER CARETTI, Marietta — River graduate caught a pass for 7 yards.

LUCAS HERRINGTON, Mt. Union — Steubenville graduate caught 4 passes for 59 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Otterbein.

CHRISTIAN WITCHEY, St. Vincent’s — St. Clairsville product punted five times for 189 yards with a long of 49 yards, including having one downed inside the 20.

VON WOODING, Oberlin — Linsly graduate had another strong outing with 12 tackles and a sack in a loss to Denison.