OT Ruckdashel reflects on camps

Apple Valley, Minn. offensive line prospect Ryan Ruckdashel (6-foot-6, 255 pounds) without question benefited great this spring and summer from his various camp appearances, and Ruckdashel talked about his impressions from his summer camp visits.

"During May I received about 30-35 phone calls from various colleges," Ryan Ruckdashel said. "I had the impression that several schools weren't that overly interested in me at that point for whatever reason, so I knew that I needed to hit some camps to be seen in person."

Ruckdashel made five separate camp visits this summer, which will include a one-day camp visit this Monday to Michigan State. Ruckdashel reflected on his summer camps.

"I can't complain at all about the college camps. They offered me a chance to show the coaches what I could do up close and in person. I had a feeling that if I had a chance to show them my ability, that good things could happen. I think that before the camps, several schools had reservations about me being able to add weight. I wrestle as well as play football, and adding and keeping weight on has never been an issue for me, and I think the colleges know that as well now."

"From my perspective, the summer college camps are the most important part of the recruiting process. The camps allowed me a chance to check out the different colleges in person, plus I also learned a ton from the coaches at each camp. I also was able to get to know the coaches much better at each camp, and you get to know the different personalities of each coach at the camps."

Ryan Ruckdashel has scholarship offers from Minnesota, Iowa State, Northern Illinois and Ball State.