Ole Miss Commit Pappano Ready To 'Show Out' For Ohio

Luke Pappano LHP / OF / Archbishop Moeller, OH / 2025

CINCINNATI - The thought of going to college to play baseball at the University of Mississippi is inspiring for Luke Pappano.

“The fan base there is unreal,” the Moeller junior related. “They have 10,000 fans at home games. I think it’s going to be an awesome experience. I can’t wait to get down there and show out for Ohio.”

It was in April, prior to the beginning of the new recruiting rule, when the 120th-rated 2025 in the nation reopened his recruiting process.

“I committed to Kentucky when I was 14,” Pappano reflected. “I wanted to have a chance to go on visits, get a feel for schools and talk.”

Some of the top schools in the country entered the picture, including Mississippi.

“I thought the process was good,” explained the top-ranked junior left-handed pitcher in Ohio, who took visits to Auburn and Ohio State in addition to Ole Miss and had interest from the likes of Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, Georgia, Kentucky, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, Miami of Florida, Louisville, Michigan and Indiana. “I think it’s good to wait until you’re older to know what you're looking for as a junior versus when you’re younger.

“I was talking to Mississippi after I decommitted but before the new rule,” Pappano continued. “They saw a bunch of my videos from high school and after talking to them I went on a visit the third week of September.”

It was a school his older sister attends as a sport management major.

“The campus is awesome, the baseball facilities are amazing and the coaches are amazing,” Pappano related. “It’s a small town, but I love it. The campus is full of nature.”

An offer was presented on the visit and three days later, on Sept. 18, the second-ranked 2025 in Ohio committed to the university nine hours away from his home in Cincinnati.

“After touring other schools, Ole Miss just stood out,” Pappano explained. “It’s one of the most historic baseball schools in the south, my dream is to play in the SEC and the fan base is super committed to the players. I’m so excited to be going there.”

Admittedly, reentering the recruiting process was difficult.

“At the start it was tough, a lot of schools didn’t think I’d decommitted,” Pappano related. “A lot ended up reaching out on Aug. 1 and five days later more did once they realized I wasn’t committed anywhere. It was a slower process and the fact that visits couldn’t start for a month, you were able to build relationships before going there.”

To be able to be part of the Southeast Conference brings a sense of enjoyment, to say the least.

“Growing up watching baseball, the SEC is the most prestigious conference in the country,” Pappano said. “If I can go there and perform, I’ll be ready for pro ball. That’s the dream. It’s a test to see how you play against the best in the country. Also, Mississippi puts you in the best position to win a World Series.”

Going to the university located in Oxford, Miss., as a two-way player only adds to the excitement for the 11th-ranked 2025 left-handed pitcher in the country.

“I feel I will be a respectful, humble player that will do what’s best for the team,” noted Pappano, a 4.43 student who plans to major in business at Ole Miss, the 2022 national champion in baseball. “I hope to contribute as a two-way and win another World Series.”

But first the 6-1 170-pound LHP/outfielder is trying to get healthy and help Moeller claim another state baseball crown.

“I got hurt at the end of high school and had Tommy John in June,” Pappano explained. “It’s going amazing. I start hitting in six weeks and start a throwing program in two months. I’ll DH for 

Moeller next season and, hopefully, by summer doing more.”

Sitting out has given the 16 year-old a better understanding of what the sport of baseball means to him.

“Since I was hurt before summer, the first thing I miss is being with friends,” Pappano said. “I now realize how close friends become through baseball and I miss the time being with them. It’s a lot harder watching and knowing I’m not playing. It makes you appreciate the game more.” 

Fortunately for Pappano, a commitment to Mississippi helped ease his disappointment of not being out on the diamond.

“It’s a big relief,” Pappano said of his recruiting process being over. “It helps me focus on the now and what I have to do every day. I’m going to work as hard as I can and do my best so when I get there I can be ready to compete as a freshman.”