Big day for IMG O-line
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Monday was a special day for the Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy offensive line, as it saw two of its own - Mirko Jurkovic Jr. and Miki Fifita - verbally commit to their schools of choice. The 6-foot-5, 276-pound Jurkovic committed to Nebraska and Fifita - who stands at 6-foot-5, 260 pounds - committed to Oregon State.
Both are class of 2015 prospects who said their verbal commitments are unbreakable.
"I'm 100-percent committed to Nebraska so no schools can interfere," Jurkovic said.
"When I commit to something, I commit to the very end and don't half-way it," Fifita said.
For Jurkovic, he said he knew about a week or two ago that the Cornhuskers were his team, deciding them over Ohio State.
"I visited Nebraska first and just had an awesome experience," Jurkovic said. "So I was comparing Ohio State to Nebraska the whole time. Both are in the have a rich history in the Big Ten, but I chose Nebraska because of my relationship with the commitments and the coaching staff."
Jurkovic hit it off with offensive line coach John Garrison during Jurkovic's only visit to Lincoln back in mid-June. The two kept in contact regularly since the visit and their relationship continues to strengthen.
Jurkovic will play is first season for IMG after previously playing for South Bend (Ind.) St. Joseph. He is moving from guard to right tackle for the first time, the same position the Cornhuskers want him to play.
"That's where I feel most comfortable," Jurkovic said of the right tackle position. "I started playing there this spring and like it a lot. It's a whole different position (than guard) and you have to move in space a lot better. The pass protection is different. It took me a week or two to hit my grove."
Jurkovic said he wasn't sure if he'd still take five official visits but that he will be taking one to Nebraska.
Fifita will also take an official visit to Oregon State and said that will be his only official. He decided on Oregon State in the time after his early June visit to the school.
"I love the environment, the culture and the lifestyle," Fifita said. "They're very supportive of their athletes."
Fifita's relationship with Oregon State began when the Beavers offered in February. From there, he struck a relationship with offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh that strengthened when the two worked together at a camp in Utah.
"I just had a warm feel for the school," Fifita said.
Oregon State beat out his other choice, Washington State. Fifita is originally from Wailuku (Hawaii) Baldwin and was offered by Hawaii, but he never strongly considered the Warriors.
"They offered me just before I left (for IMG)," he said. "Hawaii wasn't an option because I wanted to leave the island."
Fifita is relieved to have his recruiting process over in time for his senior season.
"I'm glad I can focus on getting bigger, faster and stronger for the next level," he said.
Adam Krohn is a Southeast Region football recruiting analyst for Rivals.com. You can click here to follow him on Twitter.
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