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November 20, 2008

FOOTBALL: Neutz headed to UB

In less than a week, Alex Neutz went from not a single Division I Bowl Championship Subdivision offer to a scholarship from his “dream” school.

The all-CRUNCH wide receiver from Grand Island made a verbal commitment to the University at Buffalo and head coach Turner Gill this past week.

“UB is a great up-and-coming program and I’m happy to accept their offer,” Neutz said Thursday. “I wanted to stay local and the one thing that I really liked was the family atmosphere they have at UB.”

NCAA rules forbid coaches and other university employees from commenting on potential recruits before a signed letter of intent is received. Neutz said he plans to make his commitment official on National Signing Day in February.

After garnering interest from only Division I-AA, II and III schools throughout the high school season, Neutz finally got a call from UB assistant coach and recruiting coordinator Allen Mogridge a few weeks back. From there, Neutz was invited to a game and asked to provide tapes and information on himself.

Within days of seeing the tape, head coach Turner Gill called Neutz to offer a full scholarship.

“(Grand Island) coach (Dean) Santorio told me coach Gill would be calling me, so I had my home phone and cell phone in my hands from six o’clock on,” Neutz said of the anxious evening. “It was a very long night. Coach Gill didn’t call until 9:45. But when he did I was so relieved.”

Neutz added that by making a decision this early, the pressure is off and he can now focus on a successful basketball season.