Blake Ruffino has center on offensive spot on NCAA Division-I football team
FRANKLINTON - Blake Ruffino could not be any happier.
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Although going as a walk-on, Ruffino is just happy for the opportunity.
"It was kind of like a dream come true because I always told my mom that if I wanted to play football, I wanted go to Southeastern because it's close," Ruffino said.
He is a 17-year-old student who played offensive lineman for his FHS squad this year. The Demons went 10-0 in district and were the 9-2A district champs.
Ruffino said the SLU head coach became interested in him after Ruffino attended several summer camps.
"I went to a couple of camps and I knew the coach's son and they were interested in me and they told me to come meet with them," Ruffino said.
The senior said the coach told him to walk-on and that he would be red-shirted his first year. He will also be allowed to dress out every home game.
"I was really nervous (when I was told), but I'm really excited," Ruffino said.
His non-scholarship position is not a permanent one, according to the SLU head coach.
"After my first year, if I work my way up and if I become a star, I can be on full scholarship. I just have to work hard," Ruffino said on what his coach told him.
The local student will be playing center on offense for SLU. He wants to major in education and become a coach in football.
"That's my boyhood dream. Everything is just kind of falling into place," Ruffino said.
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