VTech, Vandy first to offer OL

Offensive lineman Lou Eliades out of Ocean (N.J.) Ocean Township just took in spring practice at Rutgers over the weekend. Did the 6-foot-5, 280-pounder come away impressed with the Scarlet Knights and what other schools are on his early list?

"Their facilities are amazing. What stuck out was that it was kind of like a scrimmage for the red and white game," he said of Rutgers. "I got to eat with the entire line which was fun. I talked mostly with coach Flood, Susan and Schiano. They were basically telling me what they do and the drills they run and the basic information and philosophy. I'm heading back to Rutgers for the Red/White game and I'm just looking forward to seeing some of the recruits and stuff."

The offensive lineman is also planning to visit Connecticut this spring.

"They want me to see the campus and check it out," he said. "I don't know a lot about them yet, but I hear it's a nice place and I just kind of want to check it out."

Besides Rutgers and Connecticut, the other schools in Eliades's top five include Vanderbilt, Virginia and Virginia Tech.

"I haven't visited Vanderbilt, but I hear they have really good academics and that's one of my top priorities," he said. "I went to Virginia's junior day and I really like the fan support, it's crazy over there, and the whole town goes nuts whenever there's a game. I also like the academic help they offer and everything there really impressed me.

"The football team is what I like most about Virginia Tech. I want to go down there and meet everyone and see how they are, but that's all I know about them right now. They said they were very impressed with me and my film."

At the moment, Eliades holds offers from Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech.

Eliades is currently preparing for the Nike Camp at Penn State and the Elite College Combine in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

"I'm just working on my speed and agility and getting my bench up," he said. "I'm working on my pass blocking drills three times a week and getting my footwork down too. My biggest improvement is definitely my strength. My coaches are working me a lot more in the offseason."

With all the work he's putting in, what is Eliades hoping to get out of it come the season?

"For myself, I want to make all-conference and all-state," he said. "As a team I think we'll definitely make it to the playoffs and hopefully come out with a winning record."

With his 6-foot-5 size, many would think Eliades is being looked at strictly as an offensive tackle, but that's not the case.

"I play tackle in high school, but many coaches are talking about me as a guard because they like the way I pull."

This summer Eliades only has the Virginia Tech camp scheduled, but he said he'll most likely attend others.

Last season the lineman was named all-county and honorable mention all-division as a junior.