Florida lineman getting calls
Boca Raton (Fla.) two-way lineman Robert Balkunas is getting steady contact from three Division I-A programs.
The 6-foot-1, 290-pounder has been getting calls from Middle Tennessee State, Northwestern and Colorado State.
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The recent news that MTSU fired head coach Andy McCollum on Monday came as a surprise to Balkunas.
"This is the first I have heard of that," he said. "I didn't know that because I hadn't talked to anyone from Middle Tennessee in a week and a half or so."
The Mountain West Conference Rams have asked Balkunas to make an official visit to Fort Collins, Colo., in December. Balkunas was unsure of the exact date.
"I think once they see my senior tape and I get out there and visit that they will offer me," he said.
Northwestern defensive line coach Eric Washington is recruiting Balkunas for the Wildcats.
"I got a chance to visit (Northwestern) during the summer and it's a great program academically and they have had a great year," Balkunas said.
Balkunas, who was named the Palm Beach County lineman of the year by several local media publications, likes all three schools, along with Division I-AA programs Villanova and Georgia Southern.
"I really like them all the same," he said. "I know that may sound different than most, but I think I have to go and visit the school before I know which school I want to go to."
Balkunas had a big senior year, racking up 54 tackles, six sacks and three pass break-ups and also forcing five fumbles on defense. He had 38 pancake blocks on offense as Boca Raton reached the second round of the state playoffs.