TodayTrinity duo nearing decision time
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Article RatingChristian Kuntz hopes he likes what he hears from Notre Dame in the next day or so.
The Trinity senior-to-be recently took a visit to South Bend, IN and hopes to have an offer to play football for Charlie Weis’ squad in the next day or so.
“I just liked the Golden Dome, all the facilities,” said Kuntz, who is also a standout for the Shamrocks track and basketball team. “It reminded me of the movie ‘Rudy’ just to see all the stuff, it was pretty sweet.”
Kuntz, who had 18 receptions for 340 yards and four touchdowns a season ago, is also being pursued by Penn State and UConn. It’s possible Virginia could offer him a scholarship as well. Pittsburgh is interested in Kuntz as a strong safety.
Penn State is in dire need of wide receivers for the Class of 2009 and will lose the big three of Derrick Williams, Deon Butler and Jordan Norwood after this season.
“They told me wide receiver is a definite need,” said Kuntz of his recent trip to Penn State. “When I first got there for camp they told me they were looking for receivers and they were impressed with what I could do. Later in the camp they were close to offering me, then a week afterward they called me and offered me a scholarship.”
The status post 2008 of Nittany Lions head coach Joe Paterno is a factor in his decision according to Kuntz.
“That’s one of the things my dad, mom and I are going to have to talk about,” Kuntz said. “I’ll have to research it.”
Earlier this week the Altoona Mirror, citing information from Fight On State magazine, reported that incoming recruits have been told that Penn State’s next head coach is currently on the coaching staff.
Notre Dame coaches told Kuntz during his visit earlier this week for camp, that the 6’4, 190 pound receiver reminds them of a younger Jeff Samardzija, the former Irish wideout who starred with record setting quarterback Brady Quinn in 2005-06.
Currently the Irish have six receivers on the 2008 roster that will have eligibility past this coming season. Weis also had a stellar year recruiting wideouts, bringing in three more including Penn State target Deion Walker.
Notre Dame will also welcome five-star tight end Kyle Rudolph from Cincinnati, OH., and five-star receiver Michael Floyd from St. Paul MN. this season.
Kuntz’s teammate, offensive lineman Nick Kindler, is also narrowing his choices, though is likely to wait a little longer to decide on a college than Kuntz.
“I’ve narrowed it down to Rutgers, Illinois, Virginia, West Virginia and Boston College,” Kindler said. Penn State was a consideration, but had backed off in recent weeks.
Kindler has been slowed this summer due to left knee surgery. He played the 2007 season with a torn ACL and MCL in the knee.
“I’m going to take a couple of more visits, relax and try to figure things out then,” Kindler said. “Maybe by the time August rolls around I’ll have a decision then, but if not, I’m not going to drag it out.”
Slowly but surely, doctors are clearing Kindler to increase his off-season workouts. He is expected to be at 100-percent by the time preseason drills start next month.
Kuntz, who could receive an offer from the Fighting Irish as early as today, is expected to decide sometime in the next few weeks.
“Whenever it happens, it happens,” Kuntz said. “I think I will commit before Nick.”
Another Shamrocks player, defensive back Billy Phillipy, is getting Division I looks from Villanova, Albany, Delaware and Temple.
DEFENSIVE END PICKS PITT
Central Dauphin defensive end Jack Lippert gave a verbal commitment to play for Pittsburgh late last week.
Lippert, ranked by the Rivals recruiting service as the sixth best defensive end in the country, chose the Panthers over Temple, Buffalo and Boston College.
“I like the coaching staff a lot and the overall environment and opportunity at Pitt,” Lippert told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
The Panthers have five recruits for next years class, four of which are from Pennsylvania.
For 2008, head coach Dave Wannstedt has 14 in-state recruits coming in.
PRICE NOT RIGHT FOR NOW
Penn State’s lone receiver recruit for the Class of ‘08 did not report to campus when freshmen arrived Sunday.
According to reports, Virginia receiver A.J. Price is currently taking summer classes in Virginia in order to enroll at Penn State in August. It was thought Price may have to attend prep school this upcoming season, but that is not true according to Blue White Illustrated.
