WESTPORT — Ryan Sedlacek recalled early during his freshman season at Staples that assistant coach Tim Romano told his parents to put up another mailbox because so many colleges would send out feelers to the then 220-pound offensive lineman. Romano, who coached the freshmen team, proved prophetic. Wednesday afternoon Sedlacek — who in the ensuing years grew into a crushing 6-foot-5, 300-pound road-grinding offensive tackle — signed a National Letter of Intent with the University of Illinois in the Staples' cafeteria. "I know I'm going to have to work on getting stronger," said the two-time all-state selection who helped Staples to over 2,300 rushing yards last season. "Guys I'm going up against are gigantic. They're grown men ready to go into the NFL after three years."

Sedlacek considered a few other Division I-A schools, including UConn, Penn State and Boston College. Yet his decision was made very simple when Illinois offered him a scholarship on a recruiting trip last June. Sedlacek thought about it briefly, before making an oral commitment — making him one of the first five players to join up with Ron Zook's outfit. At the time of his decision Sedlacek felt he was linking up with an up-and-coming program that went 2-10 in 2006. Little did he know that come January 2008 he'd be in the stands of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., watching the upstart Illini play Southern California in the program's first Rose Bowl game since 1984. Though Illinois

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lost 49-17, the Illini still finished 9-4 for their best season since going 10-2 in 2001.

"I knew over the next couple seasons they had a chance to have some great seasons, but I didn't expect it this soon," Sedlacek said. Staples coach Marce Petroccio noted that Sedlacek joins 29 other former Wreckers currently playing college football. Sedlacek will be the only ex-Wrecker with a scholarship at a D-I school. "Ryan's a self-made kid and he had a great year," Petroccio said. "He's going to be in for the biggest challenge of his life."

Petroccio marveled at Sedlacek's growth and had little inclination he'd eventually morph into a Division I player. "He kept getting bigger and stronger," Petroccio said. "He had a phenomenal ride."

Sedlacek expects to leave Staples a week before graduation in June in order to enroll in summer classes at the Urbana-Champaign, Ill., campus.

In the meantime, Sedlacek plans to work out heavily to improve his overall strength. He expects to receive the Illinois workout regimen and drills in the mail shortly. Petroccio said he expects that Sedlacek will play on the interior of the offensive line at either guard or center.

Also Wednesday fullback/linebacker Josh Kozel committed to play at Yale, where he could potentially block for reigning Connecticut Player of the Year Alex Thomas, who signed with the Elis earlier in the day.

"I met him in January and he's a nice kid," Kozel said. "I've seen his highlight tape and he's an amazing player. I'm excited to see what I can do."