OL Nick Linder Stays Home, Commits to Miami
Earlier today, the Miami Hurricanes received its fifth South Florida commitment from St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) center Nick Linder. He caught up with CaneInsider.com to discuss why he chose to commit early and become a Cane.
“Everything they have to offer,” Linder said. “The great education, great athletics, great coaching staff and they are rising with everything they are doing. I love Coach (Mark) D’Onofrio, Coach (Al) Golden and Coach (Art) Kehoe. I’m really excited.”
Linder, 6-foot-3 and 280-pounds, is the brother of current senior Hurricane offensive lineman Brandon Linder. He admits that the family connection did have an influence on his decision, but he never felt any obligation to make a decision from his brother.
“I have a little biased because my brother goes there and I grew up a Miami fan,” Linder said. “My brother just wanted what’s best for me and it’s not like he was trying to pressure me or anything. It’s the right decision for me and the right place for me. They are 30 miles away from my doorstep and I’ve always been a Hurricanes fan. [Last season] I saw a great team, of course they had struggles with a couple games, but I’m very excited for this year.”
Now that he’s a “solid Canes commit,” he plans to recruit for Miami starting with his own team. “I’m definitely going to try and get some of my friends from St. Thomas and do a package deal.”
In school, he boasts an impressive 4.1 GPA and can play all five positions on the O-line. He talked more about the attributes that make him a Miami recruit.
“Not only am I smart off-the-field, but I’m also smart on-the-field. I make all the calls and stuff. I have the reaction time to pick up blitzes. I am like the quarterback of the O-line. I’m really good making my calls and knowing my assignments.”
While he already made his college decision, he plans to focus on his senior year at St. Thomas Aquinas and hopes to win another state championship like they did during the 2012 season.
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Sounds like a real good pick-up.Desire to be a Cane,passion and intelligence.Talent not withstanding…..he seemingly has plenty of potential to be a good player.