Virginia kicker pulls BCS offer

A huge offer came on Monday for Goochland, Va. kicker Thomas Meadows. It was the second scholarship for the 6-foot-0, 170-pounder, but his first from a BCS program, coming from the Big Ten.

"I've got offers from Richmond and Purdue right now," he said. "Purdue offered on Monday.

"I think it's a great opportunity and I'm really excited to have it. They are one of my top schools and I'm definitely considering going there."

Meadows heard back from the Boilermakers following a camp showing on Friday.

"I was at camp and I did pretty well," he said. "They have an indoor facility and I was putting the ball into the ceiling. They had not seen people kick it as high as I had. My kickoffs were good and they told me I was the best guy they've seen. They said they'd have something for me by Monday and I got the offer at 10 yesterday."

So, what does Meadows think of Purdue?

"I know a lot about their school, I've visited twice," he said. "I like all the coaches, they are easy to talk to and nice. I like their special teams coordinator, he was a kicker in college and he's very good with kickers, he understands kickers. It's a good place to go and he knows how to train kickers to reach my full potential. I'd say they are high on my list."

Already Meadows has been to camps elsewhere at Alabama, Florida State and Richmond with the other offer coming from Richmond not too long ago.

"I was really excited about their offer too, they are still in the running and they're a great school."

What have the other two said?

"Florida State just offered a punter a couple days ago, so I don't think that'll work out," he said. "I haven't heard much from Alabama, but I think they like me and are interested in me."

More camps are coming for Meadows soon.

"I've got Virginia, Virginia Tech and William & Mary," he said. "I'm going to Virginia this weekend on the 25th and Virginia Tech on July 9th."

If either in-state school offers, how big would that be?

"It would definitely change things cause I've got another offer," he said. "Both Virginia and Virginia Tech are looking at me as a punter, but they need to see me at camp."

Whatever happens, Meadows plans to decide sooner than later.

"I'm looking to commit somewhere before the start of the high school season," he said. "It'll be easier to take care of all this in the summer and then concentrate on the season."

As he inches closer to a choice, Meadows broke down what he is looking for.

"I'm looking for a school I can have an opportunity to come in and start as a freshman," he said. "I want a school that has a good idea of what they want in a kicker or punter. I want somewhere that knows how to train kickers and punters, that has a tradition of being good at special teams and good academics. I want coaches I get along with, those are the main things I'm looking for. Location is at the bottom of my list."