Mark Richt knew that he wasn't have a chance to see Old Bridge (N.J.) High quarterback Artur Sitkowski on Tuesday because of ESPN's annual “car wash" so when he heard that the Top247 quarterback was going to hang around on campus until Wednesday for an unofficial visit he wanted to make sure that the 2018 prospect felt like a priority for the Hurricanes. Mission accomplished.
Sitkowski told InsideTheU after his two-day stay that Miami is one of his top schools and that Richt is one of the primary reasons.
"I loved it," Sitkowski said.
"It was a great trip. We got to see the facilities, meet with the academic advisors, talk to some of the players, sit in the meetings and watch some football. It was a great two days and I know my mom and family loved it."
Sitkowski arrived on campus Tuesday not knowing much about the Hurricanes outside of what he had seen on television, but he said that quickly changed after spending some time with Richt and quarterbacks coach Jon Richt.
"It was a lot of me talking to [John Richt] the first day, but on Wednesday when [Mark Richt] came back we got to watch a little bit of practice, you know, no footballs just the guys working out, and then see more of the campus with him. After that I sat down with Coach Richt in his office and we just talked a little bit about Miami and the great things about Miami. It was all positives. It was great."
While Sitkowski said that one of the highlights of the trip for him was getting a chance to talk with current Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya, his parents seemed to enjoyed the academic presentation the most.
"The biggest thing for them is the academics," Sitkowski said. "I think the academics was the huge thing with my mom. It's a private university with only 12,000 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 12 to 1. So you get a lot of help. It's a small, but it has that big university feel and they want you to succeed."
"I think it was probably the best academic school that we have been to," he quickly added.
Which says a lot seeing as that Sitkowski has toured a number of schools this summer.
The rising junior was at Florida this past weekend for the Gators' Friday Night Lights event and has also taken trips to Ohio State, Michigan, Boston College, South Carolina, North Carolina and Rutgers.
"Miami is really high on my list," Sitkowski said.
"They are definitely one of my top schools and up there with Florida, Ohio State and South Carolina. They're going to be in my recruitment. it's going to come down to Miami and some other schools."