Stadler has three teams atop his list
by JUSTIN RICE
It's getting close to decision time for Liberty offensive lineman Alex Stadler, but there's no rush for the 6-foot-6, 305-pound guard.
"I'm loving it; I'm living a dream," Stadler said, just days after returning from an official visit to Notre Dame.
The Eagles senior was part of a packed stadium that watched Notre Dame fall in overtime to Michigan State on Saturday.
But take heart, Irish boosters: The outcome won't affect where Stadler plays football next season.
"[Notre Dame coach Charlie] Weiss said after the game he was wondering if this would hurt recruiting," Stadler said, "but I said no. I was just in awe of the atmosphere and the fans and how they all get behind the team like that.
"I've been to a couple of U.Va. games and the Virginia Tech spring game, but nothing like that."
Notre Dame is one of three front-runners to win Stadler's services. He'll take official visits to Blacksburg this weekend and then Alabama on Oct. 1.
After that, Stadler plans to re-evaluate his options and see if a fourth or fifth official trip is necessary.
"When he looked at his original top nine, those three stood out," Liberty coach Tom Buzzo said. "So he's going to take those three trips and see how they are."
"It will probably be one of those three [Alabama, Notre Dame or Tech]. But if something comes up, I've still got those two other visits I can take." Stadler, a National Honor Society student, said BC or Connecticut could be the favorites for those last two trips, if they're necessary. But there won't be any rash decisions or unexpected commitments."He's an intelligent kid," Buzzo said. "I expect he'll be smart about it."
by JUSTIN RICE
It's getting close to decision time for Liberty offensive lineman Alex Stadler, but there's no rush for the 6-foot-6, 305-pound guard.
"I'm loving it; I'm living a dream," Stadler said, just days after returning from an official visit to Notre Dame.
The Eagles senior was part of a packed stadium that watched Notre Dame fall in overtime to Michigan State on Saturday.
But take heart, Irish boosters: The outcome won't affect where Stadler plays football next season.
"[Notre Dame coach Charlie] Weiss said after the game he was wondering if this would hurt recruiting," Stadler said, "but I said no. I was just in awe of the atmosphere and the fans and how they all get behind the team like that.
"I've been to a couple of U.Va. games and the Virginia Tech spring game, but nothing like that."
Notre Dame is one of three front-runners to win Stadler's services. He'll take official visits to Blacksburg this weekend and then Alabama on Oct. 1.
After that, Stadler plans to re-evaluate his options and see if a fourth or fifth official trip is necessary.
"When he looked at his original top nine, those three stood out," Liberty coach Tom Buzzo said. "So he's going to take those three trips and see how they are."
"It will probably be one of those three [Alabama, Notre Dame or Tech]. But if something comes up, I've still got those two other visits I can take." Stadler, a National Honor Society student, said BC or Connecticut could be the favorites for those last two trips, if they're necessary. But there won't be any rash decisions or unexpected commitments."He's an intelligent kid," Buzzo said. "I expect he'll be smart about it."
