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Zach Venesky is a big offensive lineman from Peckville, PA, and he stands 6'4" and a cut 280. Most fun to watch, he has a real mean streak on the field, and is constantly finishing off his blocks and driving D-linemen to the ground or completely out of the play. That killer instinct might come from Venesky's other athletic pursuit: he is a three-time Golden Gloves amateur boxer.
New PA addition to the 2015 F.A.M.I.L.Y.!! #RFootball #RFamily CHOP!
— Kyle Flood (@KyleFloodRU) April 19, 2014
Committed to RUTGERS today! I want to thank everyone for the support and I see a bright future with some BIG10 championships! #CHOPNation
— Zach Venesky (@ZVenesk) April 19, 2014
Venesky was offered by Rutgers and primary recruiter Norries Wilson on April 11, and has been on campus multiple times since then, including this Thursday and today for the team's second spring scrimmage. Rutgers projects Venesky as an interior linemen, either at guard or center, although he has played tackle as well.
The talented lineman's recruiting started relatively quietly, most likely a result of his school's location in northeast Pennsylvania, near Scranton-Wilkes Barre. But he has recently been blowing up, receiving offers from Purdue and Temple, among others. This week, Venesky told Todderick Hunt he was not looking to commit any time soon, but multiple visits to campus this week apparently changed his timetable. Here is what Venesky told Todderick Wednesday:
"I'm not sure when I'll decide at the moment," he said. "The offers are still coming in, so I'm just seeing what I pick up from different schools and seeing what's best. I was thinking (about deciding) at the end of May, but now that more options are coming in, I think I'll explore a little bit more and see what the schools have to offer."
Apparently, Venesky saw all he needed to see to become the newest member of the Scarlet Knights. He is the sixth commitment in the 2015 class, the fourth this week, and the first offensive lineman to pledge for the Knights.
Venesky's future teammates are not wasting any time welcoming him to RFamily.
@ZVenesk no doubt, we are gonna do big things in the next few years
— Donald (@Donaldbedell) April 19, 2014
The big man is feeling the love from Rutgers. As he told Todderick Hunt today:
"It feels amazing," said Venesky. "I'm definitely excited for it. It's an awesome feeling. They've welcomed me like I'm already part of the family. With this team we are creating, I think we'll be competing for some Big Ten championships."
And Venesky has a message for Rutgers fans everywhere:
@ninaneddieanto I like the article but they forgot to add how much I like the Rutgers F.A.M.I.L.Y.!! Everyone making me feel at home!
— Zach Venesky (@ZVenesk) April 19, 2014
Congrats, Zach, and Welcome to the Banks!