Cleveland (Ohio) Shaker Heights Top247 safety Trey McNutt is currently facing a one-game suspension for his senior season because he has elected to participate in a 7 v. 7 tournament, which violates an Ohio High School Athletic Association rule that regulates and prohibits football players that play on non-school teams during a certain window of time.
McNutt, who is the 247Sports Composite’s No. 2 ranked safety and No. 1 prospect in Ohio in the 2025 class, played with the Fast Houston 7 v. 7 team in the Battle Miami tournament in late January and will suit up again at this weekend’s USA Flag 7 v. 7 Tournament being played in Los Angeles.
“I think that the rule is unacceptable,” McNutt told 247Sports. “It’s taking control of the kids and it feels like it’s stripping basic rights away. How are you going to tell somebody they can’t go and train or play football at all, and at the same time, these other sports they’re able to play AAU and everything, but football can’t do it?”
So McNutt is going to keep on doing it and see what happens.
“I’m fighting this rule because it’s generally wrong and it’s for the generations after me,” McNutt said.
The OHSAA rule reads: A member of an interscholastic football team may not participate in an athletic contest with a non-interscholastic team in that same sport between August 1 and May 14. Any contact football, flag football, touch football and arena football are examples of non-permissible events. A member school or program or team in the sports of football may participate with a non-interscholastic program in camps, tryouts, training and/or practices prior to and after the interscholastic team’s season under the following conditions: a.) They may not play in any contest, including 7-on-7 (except between May 15 and July 31). b.) All activities must be non-contact. c.) The only football equipment the player may wear are helmets and cleats. “From May 15 to July 31, a member of an interscholastic football team may participate in an athletic contest, a tryout or any type of team or group training or practices with a non-interscholastic team provided all participation is non-contact and the only football equipment being worn are helmets and cleats. This would include 7-on-7 participation.
Shaker Heights athletic director Mike Babinec told 247Sports “we have no comment at this time,” through a message sent by his head football coach Alex Nicholson.
There are some who believe that OHSAA would be up for changing this rule but that the real battle would be with the Ohio State High School Football Coaches Association themselves who by majority are still in-favor of the current landscape.
“To restrict one group of athletes and in our case, it’s Ohio football players, if you look at basketball players, softball, baseball, volleyball, golf, they don’t have these restrictions,” McNutt’s mother LaToya said. “To do that at their season’s end is unjust when other sports can participate in AAU and travel leagues. It seems like the current rules just say no. There is no given reason to deny Ohio football players the experience to continue to compete in their sport, especially because it’s giving them the opportunity to do it alongside and against other high-caliber athletes across the country.
“All of these are decisions that should be decisions of the athletes and family and they have the right to do what they want to do with their free time.”
McNutt has asked around regarding the rule and he has been told it’s to promote athletes to participate in spring sports at the school or it’s in place so kids can’t go outside the program to get coaching elsewhere.
Regardless, the OSHAA or Ohio State Football Coaches Association should not be governing how kids want to spend their time in the spring.
“I feel like 7-on-7 has given me an experience not everyone can get,” McNutt said. “Every single tournament I’ve been to is my first time visiting the state. I’m visiting new places, building new connections with new people. It’s like having a new family. At the same time, you’re getting exposure. It’s helping you build your status and everything. I don’t understand why they don’t want you to do it.”
“At this point, it’s all or nothing for us,” LaToya added. “Why should he have to sit out one game? You’re making us have to face the decision the No. 1 DB in Ohio may not play football in Ohio his senior year. That’s a decision we have to face as a family if OHSAA doesn’t make any changes or concessions to modify the rule. Trey McNutt is strong. He has a mother that is strong and we will challenge. They will not like it. Even if we have to leave the state of Ohio, the challenge is not going to go away.”
