By Bill Kurelic, NN Recruiting Analyst

bkurelic@nittanynetwork.com

March 26, 2009

Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peter’s Prep offensive tackle Jake Kaufman is one of the top linemen on the East Coast, and it hasn’t taken him long to achieve that standing.  Kaufman moved into the St. Peter’s starting lineup at the beginning of his junior season and wasted little time in establishing himself as a big-time prospect.

“He has made unbelievable progress,” St. Peter’s Coach Richard Hansen said.  “He spent the whole summer (of 2008) getting ready to play the left tackle position for us.  He’s a big kid that can move.  You see his size, but he is also an athletic kid and moves his feet well.”

The 6-foot-8 and 333-pound Kaufman transferred to St. Peter’s prior to his sophomore year.  He spent most of his sophomore season on the junior varsity team, then had an outstanding junior season.

“One of the best things about him is his work ethic,” Hansen said.  “He has tremendous upside potential.  If he keeps going in the direction he is going, he will be outstanding.”

Kaufman has over a half-dozen written scholarship offers including Rutgers, Pitt, Michigan and Georgia.  He also has a number of verbal offers.

“He has seven or eight concrete offers in writing,” Hansen said.  “Then there are also Cincinnati, South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, Penn State, Ohio State and Florida.

“Penn State loves him.  They verbally offered.  They said the (written) offer will come.  Coach (Dick) Anderson has been in.”

Hansen does not see his star lineman pulling the trigger on a commitment anytime soon.

“I think he’ll wait and take some official visits,” Hansen said.