24 colleges seeking Invaders? star
BY JOBY FAWCETT
STAFF WRITER
03/16/2008
At birth, he measured 24 inches and weighed close to 10 pounds. By fourth grade, he wrestled at the East Nationals in the 110-pound weight class.
As a freshman, he moved up to the varsity football team, weighing 255 pounds and standing 6 feet 5 inches tall.
Now he?s 6-7, weighs 295 pounds and wears a size 16 shoe. And he?s a big-time football recruit.
?He?s the total package,? said Matt Alkire, national recruiting analyst for Scout.com. ?It?s a combination of things. His size and strength and the way he plays football come into play. He?s technically sound.
?And Eric plays with a nasty streak and with great intensity.?
For the second time in as many years, West Scranton is at the center of the early football recruiting season.
Last winter, tight end Hubie Graham, who accepted a scholarship to the University of Illinois after being courted by 29 Football Bowl Subdivision schools, brought the spotlight to Luzerne Street.
Now it?s shining bright again.
With two full weeks remaining in March, Shrive has received 24 scholarship offers from college football?s finest programs and that list is expected to grow. Among the tackles listed on Rivals.com Top 100, only Xavier Nixon, a 6-6, 275-pounder from Fayetteville, N.C., is close to that number, with 10 offers.
?I?m trying to keep all of this in perspective,? Shrive said. ?I?m excited about all of the attention, but in recruiting you can drop in a second.?