http://www.middletownjournal.com/sports/newsfd/auto/feed/sports/2004/07/15/1089865195.18121.1164.2386.html;COXnetJSessionID=A2gqtj2Or3ODArzMVEZ1suxvtsi1QCzSoosp2BK8pc9wdsHBOnOW!-1825372344?urac=n&urvf=10899048745990.2934808100282099
Amos eyes four Big Ten schools
By J. Ameer Rasheed Journal Staff Writer
E-mail: [email protected]
His senior year of high school hasn’t begun, and already the college recruiting process is starting to drag for Andre Amos.
The Middie receiver, considered one of the state’s top prospects by Bucknuts.com, has narrowed his college choices down to four Big Ten schools — Purdue, Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State. He said he plans to take his time making his decision, but should make his choice known no later than week three of the high school football season.
If today were week three, Amos would be ready to follow his cousin Antwaun Rogers — a senior cornerback — as a Purdue Boilermaker. However, he still intends on making his final three visits before making his decision. Ohio State and Michigan trips are already planned, but he isn’t sure where his fifth visit will be. Amos has already visited Purdue and Northwestern.
“I am sure there will be a lot of things that change my mind,” Amos said. “That is why I am taking my time.”
Amos said he and Rogers weren’t close until recently, but he is gracious for all of the help Rogers has lent throughout the recruiting ordeal.
“Having a cousin like Antwaun is just a blessing,” Amos said. “When it came to college, he’s been there for me. I knew him as a football player, now I know him as a person.”
Rogers’ presence in West Lafayette isn’t the only reason why Purdue currently tops Amos’ list.
“I just like everything about Purdue,” he said. “I know I can get a good degree from there and play early. It’s in a calm, laid back area. It’s not in a big city.”
Amos never imagined that he would be sorting through four Big 10 institutions.
“Even last year I didn’t think (the recruiting) would be like this,” he said. “I never expected it to blow up like this.”
Growing up, he said he liked Ohio State on and off, but it was Michigan that was supposed to be the end all.
“No matter where I was going, if Michigan offered, I was going there,” Amos said. “Now that I am a senior, that has changed up a bit.”
Coming off a season in which he hauled in 26 passes for 351 yards and four touchdowns, his speed and football smarts are moving him to the head of the class. Bucknuts.com gave Amos four stars on a five-star scale.
“He is one of my key receivers,” said Middie quarterback Chris Wright, who has been throwing passes to Amos since their days at Vail Middle School. “He’s smart when the ball is in the air. He’s fast (was clocked recently at 4.6 in the 40) and he’s agile. I expect big things from him, big plays.”
Although he didn’t attend any camps this summer, Amos has been working out. He said he runs three days a week and spends another three in the weight room. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, he can be found running routes with Wright.
“It’s real important,” Amos said of the sessions with Wright. “When he hits me in stride, I am pretty confident. He’s been my quarterback for a while, so we are pretty comfortable with each other.”
With another year of experience under his belt and the promotion of Dick Martin from receivers coach to head coach, Amos is thrilled at the prospects of a passing offense. And Martin is thrilled to have Amos.
“He is a great kid,” Martin said. “He is a pleasant person to be around. Athletically, he has all the talent in the world.
“He is the type of kid that wants the ball, wants to make plays,” Martin added. “His physical attributes, long arms, good sprinter speed, above average height, make him an outstanding prospect.”
However, former coach Eric Tudor still remains close to him.
“We were pretty close,” Amos said of his relationship with Tudor. “He touched more people than he hurt. He was a good role model for everybody on the team.”
SPEAKING of Wright, recruiting for the signal-caller is going well. He told The Journal that he recently received an offer from Bowling Green University to play either receiver or defensive back. Although they haven’t officially given him an offer, Wright said he’s been in constant contact with Purdue, Michigan and a “couple” of MAC schools, none of which view him as a quarterback. Which is fine with him.
“It’s not bothering me too much because I am only 5-11,” Wright said, who threw for 1,793 yards and 18 touchdowns last year. “I just want to play ball. I am waiting it out to see what other offers I get. Just leaving my options open.”
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