Falcinelli names two favorites

It didn't take long for Justin Falcinelli to get his first offer but with six under his belt the offensive lineman from Middletown (Md.) is already thinking about making a decision.

"Right now, I'd say I have it narrowed down to Maryland and Clemson," said the 6-foot-5, 300-pound Falcinelli. "I'd like to spend more time at both the Maryland and Clemson campuses and hopefully make a decision in the summer.

"I don't want to go so far to school that I have to fly anytime I want to come home," he said. "I'm looking at schools within driving distance."

Falcinelli has offers from Pittsburgh, Virginia, Rutgers and Penn State in addition to Maryland and Clemson.

"Maryland was my first offer," he said. "Their junior day was a great experience. They took us to the Duke basketball game and that was really cool. Coach Gattuso is my primary is my main recruiter but they're all great guys. I like really like Coach Edsall and Coach Brattan too.

"Virginia has fantastic academics and it is a brand new program," said Falcinelli. "I've been there twice, once for a game last season, and the campus is great. Rutgers is a really strong program. I think both Rutgers and Maryland will do well in the Big Ten. I haven't been to Pittsburgh yet but they have a pretty good program.

"Clemson is about nine hours from me but I went down there for a visit and it is a great program," he said. "Dabo Swinney is a good guy and I was very impressed with the entire staff.

"I've been in contact with Boston College and Wake Forest for a while," said Falcinelli. "I get mail a ton of different schools. I think Maryland is coming after me the hardest right now."

Last season, Falcinelli helped Middletown to a 14-0 record and a state title.