Tulane offers football novice

Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit offensive tackle Arturo Uzdavinis didn't know what to expect when he joined the high school football team. This season, his senior season at Jesuit, marked the first time he had strapped on a football helmet in high school and the 6-foot-7, 270-pound offensive lineman has shown an ability to learn quickly.

"This was my first year so I didn't really know much about how football worked but the coaches and everybody, I feel right at home with them, and they have helped me out a lot," Uzdavinis said. "I have grown to love football."

As for why the jumbo athlete finally decided to play football, he said it was a number of influences that got him onto the gridiron.

"It was a mix of things," Uzdavinis said. "I wasn't satisfied with how I was performing in basketball, which I have been playing my whole life. Couple of my friends were on the football team and they have been trying to get me to play ever since I got into high school. Last year we got a new coaching staff and Coach (James) Harrell and the offensive line coach, Coach (Brian) McNulty saw me and started talking to me. I gave it a try and it has been great. I have really loved it."

With his first season winding down and Jesuit in the playoffs, schools have begun to take notice of the big lineman. This past week, he earned his first collegiate offer.

"Tulane offered me on Monday," Uzdavinis said. "That was my first offer. It is amazing. I never thought that I would be able to go to college and get a free education doing something that I love so much."

He has been in regular contact with the Green Wave in recent weeks.

"I have been talking with Doug Lichtenberger," Uzdavinis said. "We have just been talking about what kind of school Tulane is and what they are about."

He intends to hit the road for an official visit to the school which is located in New Orleans, Louisiana. At this time though, he hasn't scheduled a specific date. It is the only official visit he has in mind, but that could change with other offers. He has a few other schools staying in regular contact and keeping up with him as they evaluate further.

"Jacksonville University is showing some interest. Fordham has as well. That is about it so far," Uzdavinis said. "I will take officials to whatever schools offer me. I am just trying to see what my options are."

Jesuit defeated Wauchula (Fla.) Hardee in the opening round of the state playoffs on Friday. This coming weekend they will face Tampa (Fla.) Robinson.