Boateng doesnt fear the turtles

Brooklyn (N.Y.) Lincoln wide receiver Nyan Boateng has always wanted to play both football and basketball in college. Now, after a couple of great hoops tournaments, he can write his own ticket.

"I got an offer from North Carolina and one from LSU in hoops," said the 6-foot-3, 186-pounder. "That's really opened things up with other teams now as well. I'll sign to play football, but now I'm going to play hoops as well for sure."

Boateng, who was teammates with NBA first-rounder Sebastian Telfair on the hardwood last year, has all the offers he needs in football.

"My favorites are Maryland, Pitt, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Michigan State, Nebraska, Iowa and Penn State," he said. "Southern Cal is in there too and might get an official visit, but they're fading a little bit. I have offers from all of them and more."

Boateng caught 44 passes for 940 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior. He wants to play for a team that is strong in both football and hoops.

"That's why Maryland is my favorite right now because they have a very good situation in football and are always near the top in basketball," he said. "I spoke to coach Williams and he said I could walk onto the basketball team no problem."

Boateng broke down what he likes about other programs as well.

"Pitt is strong in hoops and pretty good in football," he said. "Syracuse is close to home and very good in basketball and I could play early in football. Virginia Tech needs wideouts to open the offense while Michigan State I could see myself playing there early in football and they have a good basketball program.

"Nebraska I really like coach Callahan and his offensive philosphy and Penn State is a place I've already visited and the stadium is sick. I also liked the coaches there a lot. Iowa is another place where I really like the coaches, although I don't know if I'll like the area."

Boateng registered a 40-inch vertical jump at the U.S. Army Junior All American Combine this past January and said he just jumped 46 inches in a workout the other day. He's also excited about being selected to play in the upcoming All American Bowl.

"I was told I'll be playing and I was the first wide receiver selected," he said. "It looks like it will be me and Freddy Rouse as the starters."