Dreslinski building off strong summer showing

Clinton, Mich., tight end Nate Dreslinski is confident he can play at the highest levels of Division 1 football, it is just a matter of getting his skill set in front of the eyes of college coaches. In that effort, the 6-3, 228-pound prospect embarked on an ambitious summer camp tour.

"I went to 15 or 16 total camps this year," Dreslinski reported. "The ones that stick out are Toledo, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan and Northern Illinois. Michigan too... I liked that one."

Dreslinski's performances this summer certainly created a buzz in the Midwest, but he is still waiting for that to turn into scholarship offers.

"Saginaw Valley State has offered and they're Division 2," Dreslinski said. "Eastern Michigan has been talking that they are going to offer, but it hasn't happened yet. Our first game is at Eastern, so I'm going to try to send a statement.

"I just talked to Toledo yesterday and they said they've got room for me. Same with Northern Illinois and I've been hearing if Michigan offers it's going to be late in the season. They all want to see my first three games - either they are going to come to a game or see them on film - so I'm going to come out and dominate my first few games of the year."

Dreslinksi's strength is that he is a great pass catcher from the tight end position, and can stretch the field vertically as well as some wide receivers. One question he has faced, though, is whether he will have the size to hold up as a blocker at the tight end position in college.

"I don't think blocking is an issue," Dreslinski said. "When you get down in a three-point stance it's you against a defensive end, man-on-man, and I'm going to win every time.

"Michigan is the only one that really had questions about my size. I was 220 at their camp and they were concerned whether I could get to 240 or 245. Right now I am at 229, so I have been gaining weight ever since, and my goal is to play my senior year at 235."

Dreslinski has already shown he can take care of business off the field, carrying a 3.82 GPA in the classroom. Last season he scored two touchdowns while helping Clinton to a 9-2 record on the season. He earned all-county honors for his play as a junior.