Olsen breaks from recruiting

Brooklyn (N.Y.) Poly Prep offensive guard Eric Olsen is taking a break from recruiting during the mid-summer lull. What has the prospect been up to and what's next when he gets back to recruiting this fall?

"I've just been taking time off since coaches can't contact me," he said. "I'm taking my time to relax at home and just thinking things over. I've recently talked to a bunch of coaches including coach Sollazzo at Maryland and coach Golden at Virginia through text messages. Mostly the coaches just want to see how things are going this summer for me and other small talk, there's nothing we're talking about of importance."

With the season fast approaching for the 6-foot-5, 300-pounder, who is Olsen looking at for his official visits?

"I've got nothing scheduled yet, but as summer turns to fall I'll probably have an official top five at the middle or end of August. That's what I'm aiming for."

Currently, Olsen's leaders are Boston College, Maryland, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Virginia and North Carolina. The Rivals 250 prospect doesn't hold offers from Notre Dame, Michigan and Miami.

"I've talked to all the head coaches at those schools and they like me a lot," he said. "Coach Weis was impressed with me in camp and wants to see my first game films next year. All the coaches keep sending me letters telling me not to commit because it's just a matter of time until they offer. Both Michigan and Notre Dame pulled me aside at camps and I got to show them personally what I have to offer. I felt I did really well at both of them by crushing kids and when the season comes around this fall everything will fall into place."

The No. 4 prospect in New York also has a couple schools that could edge their way into his list of favorites.

"Penn State and Syracuse are both borderline schools right now," he said. "I haven't been to Penn State yet, but Joe Paterno wants to talk to me and I still have no definite visits now, so it's open to anyone if they impress me."

There are a few things Olsen is looking for out of the schools he is interested in.

"All the schools I've narrowed it down to have academics, tradition and are good programs," he said. "On my visits, I'll really be looking for the environment and I want to get a feel of the relationship with the players and surroundings there."

This summer Olsen is planning two more visits before the season kicks off.

"There's no date scheduled yet, but in the middle of August I'm planning a trip to Virginia and North Carolina," he said. "I haven't been to either school and I want to see the campus and meet the coaches. I met coach Bunting when he came up to my school, but I haven't met coach Groh from UVA yet. I also just want to meet the rest of the staff and get a quick tour of the program."

The lineman is planning to take his visits this season, but isn't looking at making a decision soon.

"After I take my visits I'll make a decision," he said. "I hope to have it done by Christmas time. I don't want to wait until the last day."

What is the four-star lineman looking forward to during his final year at Poly Prep?

"We've got a little bit of a toned down schedule from last year," he said. "We do get to play The Hun School with Myron Rolle in the second to last game of the season and that should be fun because I know he's looking for payback after we destroyed them two years ago."

As for himself, Olsen is looking at continuing his streak of never giving up a sack by dominating the competition.

"I'm looking to maul people this year, there's no better way to say it," he said. "Last season I did really well and I was team player of the year and all-metro, but I know there are things I could have done better. I'm my biggest critic and I feel I need to work on keeping my technique flawless this year."

Olsen was named third team all-state and holds a solid 3.0 GPA.