Palmetto QB getting heavy ACC attention
Fort Dorchester is home to one of South Carolina’s top quarterback prospects in Paul Cianciolo.
Spring has seen many visitors drawn to the school to evaluate the 6-foot-5, 225-pound signal caller.
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“We’ve had a ton of people come through here,” Fort Dorchester coach Steve LaPrad said. “It’s been a little hectic at times, but that’s a good problem to have. We’re thrilled to have a player good enough to draw the type of attention that Paul is getting.
“Most of the ACC schools have shown some interest in him. Maryland, Duke and Wake Forest are probably the main three right now. They’re very interested. He’s also getting some looks from Virginia, Georgia Tech, and N.C. State. South Carolina’s the main SEC team showing some interest.”
Any scholarship offers on the horizon?
“I think so,” LaPrad said. “They’ve all kind of hinted at one point or another that they’ll be offering. I think they want to see him in their camps. He’s going to go to several this summer – Duke, Wake Forest, Clemson, Georgia Tech and South Carolina.
“I think he’ll eventually end up in a place that fits his style best. He needs to be in an “I” offense. He’s not going to be a kid who moves around a lot and beats you with his mobility.”
LaPrad said scouts are impressed by Cianciolo’s combination of size, arm strength and intelligence, particularly the latter. He’s a 4.9 student (AP courses) with a 1320 on the SAT and a 30 on the ACT.
“He’s a great kid to coach, as you could imagine,” LaPrad said. “He really has a great understanding of the offense and what you’re trying to do, reading defenses, that sort of thing. That’s going to make him even better at the next level.”
Any favorites at this point?
“I think he may be leaning to Maryland, but it’s hard to say at this point,” LaPrad said. “Duke is also high on his list.”
As a junior, Cianciolo passed for 2,007 yards and 17 touchdowns. He is also a top pitching prospect in baseball, but has decided to focus on football in college, according to the coach.