Big year results in major interest for OT Kindler

Despite an ACL injury, Camp Hill (Pa.) Trinity offensive tackle Nick Kindler fought through and played his entire junior season. More impressive than that is the fact the 6-foot-6, 275-pounder has already hauled in two offers from the impressive performance.

"Up to this point I have an offer from West Virginia and another from Illinois," he said. "Those came in the last few weeks after the coaches watched my film.

"In fact, the coaches were really excited about my quickness, strength and tenacity. They offered me and then my coach told them about my knee and they liked me that much more."

What does Kindler think about the Mountaineers and Illini?

"I like both of them a lot," he said. "I'm making a visit to West Virginia on Saturday, the 15th. I'll be going to Illinois later for spring practices, most likely a spring game.

"A couple of my cousins go to West Virginia. I don't know too much about the school, but I love the way they run their offense. That is my style of play. The coaches talk a lot about how they don't need players that are 350-pounds. They would rather have you be able to move. They tell me they think I'm a built kid. Both of these schools coaches are real genuine and I like the offensive line coaches. I'm excited to go on the visits."

Already Kindler has taken a few unofficials.

"I've been to Connecticut, Rutgers and Pittsburgh in the last few weeks," he said. "I'm going to be going to Maryland, West Virginia, Penn State, Illinois, Boston College, Virginia, Duke, Georgia Tech and some other ACC schools.

"I liked all the visits I've been on so far. I've been able to talk to the coaches a good amount and I love the facilities at them. They were all awesome."

While Kindler is hearing from a number of schools, he hasn't heard from his family favorite.

"My family has always been Notre Dame fans. I always grew up a fan of Notre Dame," he said. "My grandfather was always big on them and if there was one place he could choose for me it would definitely be Notre Dame. That is another school I'd like to make a visit to.

"It would be awesome if they recruited me. When I think of Notre Dame, I think of Rudy and all that stuff. It would be pretty cool and a big honor."

Kindler went on to discuss what he wants in a college in general.

"Definitely I want a school with a good criminal justice program," he said. "Then I'll look at the football and schools. I don't have to stay at home. My mom thinks I'm a momma's boy, but I could leave."

The Keystone State prospect helped Trinity to the district championship on a 12-1 season despite playing through the injury.

"It was tough playing with the ACL injury," he said. "I hurt it actually in February, but didn't find out until mid-April. I was doing leg workouts and agility drills. By the time the season came around I got used to wearing a brace and after the third or fourth game I was moving well.

"I played the whole season with a torn ACL. I made first team all-conference, second team all-state and first team all-state. The knee is doing great now. I had surgery on December 5th and I'm in therapy and should be able to have full contact by May."

Kindler finished by discussing his strengths and weaknesses as a player.

"I guess I kind of have a nasty streak," he said. "I like to hit people a lot and I stay after my block. I think my quickness is pretty good as is my upper body strength.

"I think I could always improve, particularly on my lower body strength. Also, I've got to get low off the ball since I'm so tall. I'm almost 6-foot-7 and I really have to work on that."