February 18, 2009

Empire State TE getting looks

Pittsford (NY) Pittsford Mendon tight end Sean Fitzpatrick is new to the recruiting process, but he is one New York prospect schools have been paying attention to early. Fitzpatrick already holds one offer and more are sure to be one the way.

Back in the start of the 2008 football season Syracuse led by Greg Robinson at the time was keeping an eye on the prospect. Now that Robinson is gone and Doug Marrone is in as head coach the Empire State product is not getting the same attention that he one was.

"I have not been contacted by them [the new staff at Syracuse] yet," Fitzpatrick said. "I was being looked at by Syracuse before Coach Robinson was fired, Coach Wiesehan was my recruiter."

Fitzpatrick, 6-foot-6, 220 pounds grew up a fan of the Orange and had a relationship with the old staff even though that staff is gone the tight end prospect remains very interested in the school.

"Oh yeah definitely. It is only an hour away and it is in the Big East conference. I would definitely like some interest from them."

Since he has been an Orange fan for a long time that could bode well for the Orange, but it does not mean that he would commit to Syracuse if they offer.

"I would have to think it [a Syracuse offer] over. It would definitely be on the top of my list." Fitzpatrick stated. "I was a big fan of Syracuse when they had Donovan McNabb and things like that."

During last football season Fitzpatrick was able to visit Syracuse and he came away impressed by a lot. The one thing that stuck out over others was the history that the Orange had.

"The history sticks out right away. When you go into the players lounge there are shrines and plaques about their history with Ernie Davis, Jim Brown, and players like that."

Receiving that first offer when you are a recruit can be very emotional and that was indeed the way Fitzpatrick felt.

"I was relieved and happy just so many emotions at one time because it was my first offer. I like the Buffalo coaching staff they are all nice and down to earth. It is a program on the rise."

Syracuse and Buffalo are not the only schools that Fitzpatrick is interested in. He already had the offer from Buffalo in hand, but a few other schools are on his radar.

"Schools that have come by my school are Pittsburgh, Maryland, and Boston College."

With the Buffalo offer already in are any schools on the verge of offering?

"I am going to fly out to Maryland this Friday. They liked my film and they said they will probably offer if I pass the eyeball test or whatever."

The three schools that came into talk with Fitzpatrick are programs that are having a lot of success, but he did not know much about Maryland and Boston College. Pittsburgh is a different story.

"Football Program, well they had a pretty good season this year. They have a lot of NFL players come out of their school like Larry Fitzgerald and LeSean McCoy who I am sure is going to be a good NFL player. As a school they have a good business school and it is right in the middle of the city."

When it comes to making a decision the versatile tight end would like to have his decision over as soon as possible.

"I would like to commit probably as soon as possible. If I found a school that offered me and I fell in love with I would probably just jump on board right there."

If he does not make a decision by this summer he could see himself visiting one ACC school and one Big east program.

"I am hoping to make my decision before summer, but if I don't I will probably go to the Syracuse camp and Maryland."

In 2009 when Fitzpatrick starts his senior football season he will not be lining up at the same position that colleges are looking at him for.

"I am playing quarterback for my team this year, but most teams in college are looking for me to play tight end."

What are some attributes that the prospect thinks he has that will carry over to plying quarterback?

"I have a pretty good arm and I make solid decisions and I can make something happen if a play breaks down.

In college he will not be a tight end so playing quarterback could give him an advantage when it comes to seeing what defenses throw at him.

Stay tuned to CuseConfidential.com all recruiting season for the latest on Fitzpatrick.


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