Local standout lands offer
Lake Mary (Fla.) wide receiver Nick Westbrook got some big news when he dropped by UCF's spring practice on Tuesday morning.
"I sat down after practice with Coach (Sean) Beckton, the receivers coach, and he told me I had an offer," Westbrook said. "He said he liked my film, how I caught the ball away from my body and how I went up for the ball. He said I'm a good route runner. So did Coach (Keegan) Kennedy.
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"(The offer) was kind of a surprise, but at the same time I felt like it was going to happen. I was told they like to offer kids face-to-face. I had a feeling, a hunch, that it might happen. I'm just happy that it actually did."
Westbrook (6-3, 195) was one of the area's top receivers in 2013, reeling in 52 catches for 826 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Though he lives just across town, the visit was actually his first time on campus.
"I've always been interested in UCF though and it's a school that I've liked," Westbrook said. "Like last year, when they were playing South Carolina, I was following the game real close on my phone because I wasn't able to watch it. They had a big season last year. That's one reason why I like them. They're becoming an elite team."
Westbrook arrived early in the morning and viewed the locker room, weight room and meeting rooms prior to the 10 a.m. practice. Afterward, he toured Bright House Networks Stadium.
"I really liked the campus," Westbrook said. "My favorite part was probably watching practice. It was really interesting. I was able to understand the concepts a little bit by watching the coaches. It's really familiar with what I know. I feel I could jump right into it."
He was introduced to several players and spoke briefly with friend Blake Tiralosi, a redshirt sophomore who graduated from Bishop Moore.
UCF was his third offer, joining Southern Miss and Kentucky. His fourth - from Holy Cross - came later in the day on Tuesday. Boston College and Indiana are also showing strong interest. He's hoping to visit Southern Miss and Kentucky sometime in April.
Westbrook isn't ready to name favorites, saying he's equally interested in all the schools that have offered.
"Education is really important to me," he said. "I pride myself on education. Proximity to home isn't that big of a deal. I would go anywhere in the country because hey, free school. Being UCF, it's so close and that would be a perk though."
He won't be rushing a decision.
"I think I'm going to be patient and make sure I find a school that fits me well and my parents agree with too," Westbrook said.
