DT likes Boston College early on

Jacob Basilica knew his junior season was important not only to prove himself on the field but to get more recruiting exposure but a sprained knee has sidelined the 2013 defensive tackle from Oakdale (Conn.) Montville for the last four games.

Still, the 6-foot-4, 320-pound prospect is staying positive and is trying to get back for the end of the regular season. If not then, Basilica said he'll be back for the playoffs if Montville makes it. He's also looking toward a big off-season where he can prove to college coaches he's a legitimate prospect.

"It's killing me that I can't be a part of my team and help them win and stuff but it's also terrible that all the recruiting during my junior season has been slow," said Basilica, who's played in three games this season. "For the most part it really kills me to stand on the sideline and be helpless during games.

"We were blocking field goal/extra point and I was blocking a kid and someone rolled into the outside of my knee and I heard a pop. It ended up being a pretty bad sprained knee."

Boston College is one of four schools staying in touch with Basilica, who said Connecticut, Notre Dame and Maryland have also been in contact.

The Eagles are definitely of interest and they've been sending a lot of recruiting mail since the beginning of the season.

Letters, updates on their season and invites to some games have all come for Basilica but because he's dealing with his knee issue he hasn't been able to make it to Chestnut Hill for a game.

"They've been letting me know how their season is going and more information about their coaches," Basilica said. "In the beginning I got some letters where they invited me to some games and that they were keeping an eye on me so I was excited about that."

Because Basilica has been limited this season with that knee injury he said it's vitally important to get out to as many camps as possible this summer to get more exposure. A stop at Boston College is in the plans and the Connecticut recruit said he is open to any other colleges at this point as well.

This off-season for Basilica will all be about getting ready for a big senior year and proving he can play at the elite college level.

"It's extremely important," he said. "I'm going to try to get to as many camps as I can possibly get to and try to work out as much as I possibly can so I can get in the best shape for my senior season."

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