Recruiters climbing aboard Mack express

The first Division I offer to reach the hands of the outstanding Connecticut high school football class of 2008 arrived almost a year ago, from UConn to Torrey Mack.

Impressive stuff at the time, since the Stratford tailback played quarterback and rarely got to strut his true stuff. Surprising, too, because Mack had yet to play a down of his breakout junior year and was a statewide no-name.

After three months, 1,689 yards, 21 touchdowns, 85 tackles and dozens of accolades, including Connecticut Post all-star and Class SS all-state selections, UConn was looking pretty smart for hopping aboard the Mack truck before anyone else.

Nowadays, it's pretty crowded.

Iowa, Maryland, Penn State, Virginia and Virginia Tech have followed UConn with offers, coach Duane Shirden said.

Even Florida assistant Steve Addazio, the former coach at Cheshire High School, has met with Shirden. Syracuse and Boston College are also "very high" on Mack, Shirden said.

Michigan could be on its way shortly.

"Their recruiting coordinator loves him," Shirden said.

"It's just a matter of their running backs coach seeing the film. I think he was on vacation. Once he sees it, I think they're going to offer him. I think once anybody sees his film, they're going to offer him."

Virginia, Shirden said, was so enamored with the 6-foot-1, 190 junior that its coaches said they wanted Mack to lead their backfield for the next four years.

"They're looking for a No. 1 back to fill the spot,"

Shirden said. "They want it to be Torrey."

A lot of coaches told Shirden that Mack, who is listed with a 40-yard dash time of 4.48 seconds, was the best junior they saw on film. Mike Farrell, the lead football recruiting analyst at Rivals.com, one of the biggest recruiting publications in the country, told Shirden that Mack was Connecticut's No. 1 recruit.

"When it's all over, he'll be the most recruited player ever to come out of Stratford," Shirden said.

What this has meant for both Mack and Shirden are overflowing mailboxes, incessantly buzzing mobile phones, and countless amorous text messages and emails.

And its been double the fun in Stratford because of Mack's teammate, Octavias McKoy, who is only slightly below Mack on the recruiting lists but receiving no less attention.

"It's been crazy the last few months. It can get overwhelming, but he's all right," Shirden said of Mack. "He doesn't feel overwhelmed."

Right now, Shirden said Maryland, Virginia and UConn are Mack's Top 3.

"UConn's still No. 1 on his list," Shirden said. But that could change. Mack has the option to take five official visits this fall. He's already been to several junior days, including at Maryland with Fairfield Prep's Masengo Kabongo and Ansonia's Erik Kureczea. The list could grow longer by the end of the summer. "A lot of schools want verbal commitments right away," Shirden said.

"But I told him, the most important thing is that he weigh his options. It's important for his father, his grandmother his family and me that he gets his degree. That he goes to a place where he can get the most help, because you can't run the ball if you're not on the field."

To that end, don't expect Mack to leap into any outstretched arms. Shirden said his decision will come after the 2007 season.

By then, it could be one crowded house.

Torrey Mack, Stratford

Junior, 6-1, 190

Offers: UConn, Virginia, Maryland, Penn State, Virginia, Virginia Tech

Interest: Boston College, Syracuse, Michigan, Florida