Ngachie astonished by first offer

College interest is growing quickly for athlete Marcel Ngachie out of Olney (Md.) Good Counsel. The 6-foot-0, 203-pound junior claims one scholarship, but lots of other programs are interested.

"I have an offer from Virginia," he said. "I was very, very, very astonished when I got it. It's not every day someone gets offers and that's a big thing not having to pay for school. It's a blessing to get this opportunity."

Ngachie received the offer just over a month ago from the Cavaliers. Does he know much about them?

"I know they are a good academic school," he said. "It seems like they are coming up. They had a very good recruiting class last year and I look for them to be good in the future. They are definitely a school I'll be looking at. They are my first offer. I take that seriously as they gave me the chance, they are the first school that noticed me it's very important."

Ngachie confirmed plans to take a visit to Charlottesville, but is in the process of working it out.

Plenty of other schools haven't offered, but are quite interested.

"I've talked to Florida and Oklahoma. I've heard from UMass and Boston College," he said. "NC State, Colorado and Georgia Tech have been sending the most mail. I'm also receiving letters from Wisconsin, Georgia, Duke and Temple.

Does Ngachie like anybody?

"It's very surreal to me," he said. "Obviously it was my goal to get this, but now that it is here, it's a dream come true. I'm going to take it real slow to see how this recruiting process goes. I'm going to look at every school individually and see what stands out about each, what I like and don't like. I'm going to see where I can see myself. Also, strength and conditioning plays a big part. I'm just looking for somewhere I feel at home."

Ngachie moved from outside linebacker to middle linebacker this season for Good Counsel.

"I've done great," he said. "I'm proud of myself for all the hard work I put in over the summer. It's just been a blessing.

"It's very different from playing outside linebacker last year. I like the middle a lot and I think I'm better at the middle. I'm very fast and instinctive. I'm quick and very intense. I bring a high level of intensity and love for the game. I won't let anything stop me from achieving my goals."

Though he's a linebacker now, Ngachie noted that some colleges have already discussed the potential of him moving to safety at the next level.