Haupt makes impression at NIKE camp

When you are as big and dominant as Merritt Island (Fl.) offensive lineman Eddie Haupt. The 6-foot-4, 290 pound Haupt already had most major schools in the country looking his way, but as if that wasn’t enough boosted his stock at the Miami NIKE camp.

“I’m getting mail from just about every school in the country. I only have one offer so far though and that is from South Florida,” Haupt said.

Haupt, who runs the 40 yard dash in 5.19 seconds boasts a 475 pound squat and 335 pound bench press.

“My top two right now is Miami and South Florida. After that, in no particular order, it is Stanford, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Michigan and Georgia Tech. I always liked Miami and Kentucky as a kid.”

As a junior Haupt was named to the all-space coast team as well as all-county.

“I went to Florida’s spring game and I am going to Miami’s next week. I have been to practices at Georgia Tech, North Carolina, South Florida and Central Florida. The one place that really impressed me that I didn’t think would was North Carolina. I wasn’t very interested in them until I went there and saw it for myself.”

He mentioned that Miami was a childhood favorite, not to mention the hometown team, so that explains their place at the top of his list, but what about South Florida?

“They had good facilities and I think their coaches are great. It is pretty close to home and it is an up and coming program. It’s not like it is the only place I have visited, because I have already seen some big time programs.”

Haupt, who averaged six pancakes per game as a junior, plans to attend camp at Miami this summer as well as a “Down and Dirty Lineman camp.”

“I want to play for a successful program. I don’t really want to go too far from home, or at least too far north because I don’t like cold weather. Academics and the coaching staff will also play a role in my recruiting.”