CT backer up to three offers

Hartford (Conn.) Hartford Public is home to one of the top prospects in the Northeast. The school features a star 6-foot-1, 196-pound linebacker that has already hauled in three scholarships.

"He's kind of been a secret, but I think the word is just starting to get out about how good of an athlete he is," Hartford head coach Harry Bellucci said about linebacker Andre Lawrence. "He's got three written offers from Boston College, Connecticut and Maryland. He also is getting a lot of interest from Purdue, Stanford, Miami, North Carolina, Michigan, NC State, Rutgers, Syracuse and Iowa. Just the other day Southern Cal asked for some film on him too."

Lawrence's recruiting has obviously taken off. According to Bellucci, he is nowhere near having a favorite.

"We haven't gotten to that process yet," he said. "He took an unofficial to Boston College and is about to take ones to Connecticut and Maryland this spring.

"He's got to visit all the schools and make an informed decision. Once he makes visits, then he can consider that. I think there is a chance he could decide by late summer or early fall."

Bellucci discussed his talented linebacker who posted 1,500-yards rushing along with 50 tackles and six sacks last year.

"First of all, he has tremendous speed," he said. "He is an extremely hard hitter and finisher and can run anybody down. He accelerates through you once he gets there. He's a gentleman off the field, but on it he's a mean SOB. He's also an extremely intelligent football player that understands what we're trying to get done.

"He is a great athlete too. He was all-state in football and track last year. He was the state champion in the long jump and runs a 6.47 55 meter and a 21.9 200 meter. He has an outstanding frame too. He could put on 25 or 30 more pounds."

Bellucci followed up by talking about Lawrence off the field as well.

"He's extremely intelligent, a great citizen and an active team leader," he said. "He's everything you want in a player. He's got A's and B's. Is an honor roll student with a mid-900 Sat already. He's going to be a qualifier. He's the total package."