Mattes keeping things open

Offensive/defensive tackle Kurt Mattes is widely considered to be one of the top 25 prospects in Pennsylvania in the Class of 2005, and his offer list continues to grow. While he's taking recruiting seriously, he's not ready to narrow things down just yet.

"I'm just not sure I know enough about all the schools that have talked to me to eliminate anyone from consideration," he said. "I think the safest thing for me to do know is just look into schools as much as I can, maybe take some unofficial and official visits, and see where things go from there.

"I don't think it would be too smart for me to rush into something, even just forming a small list of schools. I don't want that bias to be there."

The 6-foot-6, 285-pound two-way lineman from Plymouth (Pa.) Wyoming Valley West runs the 40-yard dash in 4.85 seconds. With his quickness, size, and potential to grow into a lineman well in excess of 300 pounds, it's no wonder college coaches are so interested in Mattes.

He already has offers from Pitt, Syracuse, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, UConn, Indiana and Akron. Other schools have hinted that offers may be on the way later this summer or this fall.

"I'm probably going to see what I can see pretty close to home here shortly," said Mattes. "Pitt, the schools in the Big Ten that have offered or like me, and the places that won't be too much trouble going to -- I'll probably look into trying to visit those places here before too long. I'm not exactly sure of dates to be honest, but I will be soon."

Mattes was a first team all-conference selection as a junior and graded out at 85-percent on the offensive line.