Kugler breaks down his favorites

Jumbo athlete Robert Kugler and his family just completed their move from Orchard Park, New York to Pittsburgh, and the talented junior appears ready to focus on the recruiting process.

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound defensive end is attending North Allegheny in Pittsburgh and should make quite an impact on the team this coming fall. Because of everything that goes along with a move, Kugler has been busy of late. It has been difficult to devote too much time or energy to the recruiting process.

"I plan on doing stuff later," Kugler said on Saturday. "I might go down to West Virginia for their spring game.

"This summer I'm definitely going out to Boise State and then Stanford after that. I think we'll make that into a west coast family trip."

Kugler has said that five schools -- Boise State, Colorado State, Purdue, Stanford and Syracuse -- are at the top of his list. He mentioned that he's open to other schools that might come along and offer him a scholarship, but for now those five have separated themselves from the rest.

What does he like about each one of those schools and football programs?

"I know the coaching staff at Boise State real well," Kugler pointed out. "I love Boise State because they win and that speaks for itself. I think it would be a great experience to go there.

"Colorado State was the first school to offer me. I respect that because they saw me first. That's something you can't forget. From what I've seen just in pictures and what people have told me it seems like an amazing place.

"I went down to Purdue and coach (Danny) Hope offered me while I was there. I got to meet with an academic person and I got a tour around the campus. The campus was awesome and it was just a good experience. I liked it.

"With Stanford, I'm just high on academics. That's probably the most important thing to me besides playing football. Stanford just speaks for itself when it comes to (academics). It's probably the best school in the country.

"I've been up to Syracuse three times, actually. I went to two of their junior days because I only lived about three hours from there, and I went there for one unofficial visit last year when they played West Virginia. I liked campus a lot and the kids that go there love it. I really like the coaching staff, too."

Kugler reiterated that he wants to make his decision by the start of his senior season.