2015 Miami Football Recruiting: QB Billy Bahl Talks Commitment to RedHawks

As the summer days grow longer, and camp season kicks into full swing, the recruiting process tends to kick up into full gear. But for 2015 quarterback prospect Billy Bahl, the whirlwind recruiting process has come to an early end. Just days after picking up his 14th scholarship offer, the Woodstock, Illinois native made his pledge to the Miami RedHawks on Father's Day.

"[Head coach Chuck Martin] told me I was his favorite Father's Day present," Bahl told Hustle Belt. Bahl, who, on Sunday was on his second visit to Oxford this spring said Martin and quarterbacks coach Eric Koehler were ecstatic with Bahl's decision, and understandably so.

The 6-foot-4, 210 pound right-hander is currently considered a 3-star (247Sports Composite) prospect and is considered a Top-50 pro-style quarterback in the class of 2015. Bahl's recruiting process has really heated up as of late, and he holds offers from 14 schools in all, including from nine MAC schools, UConn, and Rutgers. Bahl has been holding private throwing sessions for coaches lately, which has seen his stock rise rapidly as more programs jumped to offer the Top-30 Illinois prospect before other schools found out about him.

It was all a lot of fun, but also exhausting for the Marian Central Catholic senior, who said he twas relieved to tell Martin that he was done with the whole recruiting process and was ready to commit to being a RedHawk.

"I just took it as it went, and really just looked at the schools and found ones that I was really interested in. Then found ones that I was really comfortable at. Miami was the top one. I knew that today was going to decide whether or not I was going to commit there," Bahl said shortly after concluding his Sunday visit to the RedHawks' campus.  "I just felt like that was the place I really want to be at. I felt like that was the place I want to spend the next four, or five years of college at."

Bahl recently made it known he was planning on making a decision by the month's end, but ultimately it was Miami's tradition, beautiful campus and the opportunity for early playing time that made the decision for him.

The RedHawks are in the beginning stages of a rebuilding process, a year removed from an 0-12 season that saw the team fire a head coach and offensive coordinator mid-season. Martin and his staff have undertaken the process of restoring the program to its former glory, and like the other nine members of Miami's 2015 class, Bahl was sold on the idea of doing something so important.

"The football program, I mean they haven't been the best in recent years, but the history, they've always been top in the MAC. The offense that they run, I felt like it really fit me," Bahl said of Miami's rebuilding process. "That was a big part in where I was going to go, and they told me that I have a chance to compete early, so that was all I could ask for."

A big-arm quarterback, with impressive poise in the pocket, there's little doubt that Bahl will at least be competing for playing time, even on a roster that currently features six quarterbacks on roster that are redshirt sophomores, or younger. Bahl had success last year in the Illinois 5A division, throwing for 2,510 yards, 29 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions, and is being given more control over his team's offense this fall. If that doesn't illustrate Bahl's impressive knowledge of the game, and leadership qualities, nothing will.

Dirk [Stanger, his offensive coordinator at Marian Central Catholic] and I really just talk about reading defenses, what I'm looking for to make a play work, and which play to check in," Bahl said of his new responsibilities under center. "Getting able to read defenses better, pre snap and post snap," is his main goal for his senior season to help him prep for his first season in Oxford, come the fall of 2015.

When that time comes, he says he'll be ready for whatever opportunities he earns.

"I just want to get Miami back to winning MAC Championships, and hopefully make it to a bowl game."

Check out Bahl's highlights, courtesy of Hudl: