Interest grows for Jersey QB

While quarterback Mike Eckrote of Wayne (N.J.) Valley continues to wait for his first offer, he has been busy this summer at numerous camps. The result has been an increase of interest from a number of schools, and a growing optimism that his first offers are right around the corner.

"Recruiting is good," said Eckrote. "I'm getting a lot of interest, and now I'm just trying to turn it into offers."

At this point, Eckrote is receiving interest from schools of all levels.

"1-A schools with interest are BC, Rutgers, Maryland, Syracuse and Ball State, and 1-AA's are Towson, Monmouth, Albany and a bunch more," said Eckrote.

Amidst his preparation for his senior season, Eckrote also attended several summer camps.

"I've been real busy with my high school team," he said. "We had full pad sessions early in the summer and doubles and everything for awhile already. So I've only been able to get to Syracuse, Rutgers, Lafayette, Monmouth and Albany, and I'm going to Towson next Saturday."

Eckrote is eager to showcase his skills at these camps.

"I'm trying to prove that I'm not just a big kid with a big arm, but that I can move well for my size and that I have the ability to make reads and play the mental side of the game," said Eckrote, who is 6-foot-4 and 220-pounds.

This fall, Eckrote hopes to visit a few schools.

"Once offers come in I'm going to sit down with my coach and figure out when to make it out to games and visits since it's tough during the season with our own games," said Eckrote. "I've seen Rutgers plenty of times and I really want to make the trip out to Boston College."

His off-season workouts have given him an opportunity to train with a few NFL players.

"It's an all-day grind," said Eckrote. "I lift in the morning under the guidance of Joe Carini. He's an ex-powerlifter who runs a gym up in Pine Brook, so I'm training alongside guys like LaDanian Tomlinson and Tiki Barber. Then after that I have lifting and conditioning at the school with my team, followed by practice and then two hours of 7-on-7's."