Hickey torn between three schools

Sean Hickey is going to have a tough decision to make. Hickey made his third official visit this past weekend to Syracuse and like his previous two official visits he was blown away by the Orangemen. Hickey from Murraysville, Pa., is a 6-6 and 285 pound offensive tackle prospect from Franklin Regional.

"I really enjoyed the trip," Hickey said. "I was up there for an unofficial (visit) in June and I liked it then. I hung around coaches and that was awesome. I was with the recruits and had such a good time. They are going to turn it around. I mean they were almost bowl eligible this season. Coach (Doug) Marrone has that program in the right direction and that's pretty exciting."

Another big plus for Syracuse is the opportunity to play early and the opportunity to play for Marrone and offensive line coach Greg Adkins.

"I can come in and get a chance to compete. They had some injuries on the offensive front and a transfer. If I come in good shape I would have a chance to play. It's a great opportunity. Coach Marrone is a former offensive linemen and an OL coach and that helps them big time. He was a great OL coach in the NFL. So it will be like I have two OL coaches there with he and coach Adkins. He's very smart and knows so much about football."

While Hickey is fresh off the visit to Syracuse there are two other main players for Hickey in Boston College and Illinois. He's already visited both schools and now Hickey just has to sort things out.

"I really like BC and Illinois. Both of those officials were so great. It's a lot to think about and I will see what the next course of action will be.

"Both of those visits were a little different because I had a game on Friday and then had to get up at 2 in the morning to get to BC and Illinois and I was just exhausted on both visits.

"But I still loved them. I saw a great game at BC against Wake (Forest). They have a young team and they played well this season. They have a bright future and there is a great opportunity for me there.

"The people at Illinois are just phenomenal. Coach (Ron) Zook and his coaches are great people. They had a rough year but they are young and headed in the right direction too."

There is a possibility that a new team could emerge with Hickey. That is if they offer.

"I went down to Cincinnati the day after Thanksgiving. I want to get back there. They like my film and want to offer.

"So right now Syracuse, Boston College and Illinois are my top three schools but Cincinnati has an outside chance.

"There is opportunity at all of these schools but it will come down to being comfortable and the coaching staffs are important."