Keystone OT claims offers

Mount Pleasant, Pa. offensive tackle Rob Gumbita holds two offers already. The 6-foot-5, 298-pounder recently acquired a scholarship from the ACC. Does he have any leaders?

"I've got offers right now from Maryland and Buffalo," he said. "I got Buffalo during the school year in March and then Maryland came at the end of June.

"I'm really excited about the Maryland one right now. They are a big name school that really catches my eye. As for Buffalo, I think they are an up and coming program. The coaches seem good and look like they're going to turn it around."

With two offers already in-hand, is Gumbita close to a decision?

"I'm going to wait and take my official visits before I make any kind of decision," he said. "I'm still hearing from other schools including Rutgers, West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Indiana and Duke. They are just talking to me and seem really interested. They want me to come down for visits so they can meet me in person."

So far this summer, the Keystone State lineman has been to a few schools.

"I've visited West Virginia, Pittsburgh, Maryland, Toledo and Kent State," he said. "They were all really nice and I'd say I'm pretty wide open. I don't have a favorite.

"I am looking at possibly taking a couple more visits to Rutgers for one day and then to Buffalo. I know Buffalo wants me to come out in August for a practice."

Currently Gumbita claims no clear leader and instead went on to discuss what he wants in a college.

"I definitely want academics first," he said. "I'm interested in majoring in pharmacy or something medical, so they have to have a good biology or chemistry program. I also like rural campuses. I'd prefer not to be in the city. I would like to stay close to home too, although that's not a huge issue. I can travel."

Football is quickly approaching for the Pennsylvania lineman as two-a-days start on August 13th.

"I'm working hard on my speed and getting in shape and ready to go," he said. "I can tell my strength has really improved in the offseason and my quickness and foot speed is much better too."

Last season Gumbita registered 55 tackles and four sacks on his way to all-conference and third team all-state honors.