Alex Stadler

Official offers from Florida and Oklahoma have put Liberty (Bealeton, VA) offensive lineman Alex Stadler up to 22 total offers. The most recent one was from Oklahoma, of which Stadler called “big. They’re the cream of the crop.”

Other notable programs that have offered include Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Miami, Virginia and Virginia Tech. Are there any current favorites among the impressive group?

“Not really,” Stadler replied. “I’m hoping to narrow my list towards the end of the month – after the schools all have a chance to come in.”

A sample of schools that have visited Liberty since the beginning of the Evaluation period include Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Michigan, Nebraska, Syracuse, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest. While schools are now visiting Liberty to evaluate Stadler, he has visited many schools this year to get his own evaluations. About a month ago, Stadler visited Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia and Georgia Tech on a southern swing of sorts.

Among those schools, one was very impressive.

“The most impressive place so far has been Alabama,” Stadler said. “The campus there is all about football. We were the only ones on campus because they had spring break that week. We were riding through one area and they were playing a broadcast of an old Alabama football game. It was pretty neat.”

Since the “southern swing”, Stadler’s only visit has been to Virginia Tech’s spring game. Of the experience, he said “it was impressive that 30,000 people showed up for the game. And I never thought a spring game would be so loud.”

Last night, Stadler received a phone call from UVa head coach Al Groh. One of Groh’s main points appears to have been to discuss why Virginia only recently offered.

“Al Groh called last night,” Stadler said. “He just said that they recruit a little differently. He used a fishing analogy…he said they don’t throw out a large net and hope to grab something. He said they go after a specific group of kids they want to attend the University of Virginia.”

Stadler addressed whether or not UVa’s delay would hurt the Cavaliers’ chances. He said “it’s definitely not something that’s going to be big in my mind. I realize some schools evaluate players differently. There are some schools out there now that I think will offer but haven’t yet. When it comes time to make a decision, it’s not something that’s going to weigh heavily.”

Will location be a factor in the final decision?

“In-state doesn’t matter,” Stadler said. “Like I said before, location is not a factor in my decision. I’m going to look more at the offense and how I fit into the program. I’m looking for the total package.”

This summer, Stadler plans on taking a northern swing of visits – Indiana, Michigan, Notre Dame are some of the schools he has in mind. He may then travel to Oklahoma as well. Having a chance to visit so many programs helps Stadler, who says “each school is unique. It’s good to see all of them. Without a doubt, I think I have a step up in the decision making process.”

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At 6-6, 300-pounds, size is obviously one thing schools like about Stadler. What are some other things schools are saying they like about him?

“They say I’m aggressive, I move well and I’m a great run-blocker,” Stadler said. “Run-blocking is something we thrive on here at Liberty, so it really should be my forte.”

An offensive guard the past two years, is there a possibility Stadler plays tackle on the next level?

“Absolutely,” Stadler said. “Teams like me as a tackle or guard. I could play either. I played tackle since I was six up until two years ago. For the last two years, I’ve played guard. It doesn’t matter to me where I play on the next level. I just want to go wherever the best fit is for me.”

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