Clearview’s Oliveira ready to begin career at Rutgers
Clearview offensive lineman Nick Oliveira had been set for the longest time on his next college destination until a coaching change altered everything.
Oliveira entered the high school season already having his future secured, or so he thought, having committed to the University of Cincinnati.
Oliveira was happy to have his decision made and he could just concentrate on his senior year. Well, he was able to concentrate on his senior year, but after the season ended, things changed.
On Nov. 27 Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell left to take the same job at Wisconsin. Oliveira said he would have kept his Cincinnati commitment had Fickell stayed.
So instead, the 6-foot-5, 290-pound Oliveira went through the entire recruiting process all over again. There were plenty of suitors.
Finally, Oliveira decided to accept a scholarship to Rutgers and compete in the Big 10. He will be enrolling during the current semester and be able to compete in spring practice for Rutgers.
“I chose Rutgers because of the relationship I had with the coaching staff and I like everything about the school,” Oliveira said.
After he de-committed from Cincinnati, Oliveira had plenty of phone calls to answer from Division I schools.
“It was crazy, I was hearing from so many coaches and I received a lot of offers,” he said.
One of those coaches was Fickell, who tried to get him to come to Wisconsin.
Oliveira was flattered to have all the attention but extremely happy when he made his decision to join Rutgers.
“I was relieved when it was all done and I knew where I would be going,” he said.
Oliveira was among the best offensive tackles in the state. He finished his Clearview career with 87 pancake blocks on offense and 47 tackles and two sacks on defense.
Even though he was a two-way tackle at Clearview, Rutgers recruited him on offense. Oliveira says he was recruited to play either guard or tackle.
He will join fellow South Jersey football player John Stone of Washington Township as a South Jersey recruits for Rutgers’ offensive line. Stone is being recruited as a center.
In addition, there is also one other recruit for Rutgers from the seven-county South Jersey area – defensive back Eric Rogers of Burlington Township.
Oliveira says he is considering majoring in business or computer science. He is looking forward to beginning his college experience and also looking forward to playing in the Big 10.
“I am going from the Big 12 (where Cincinnati will be a new member) to the Big 10 and playing against the great competition,” he said. “It’s going to be so exciting and I am ready to get to work.”
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Author: Marc Narducci
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