For a long time, it appeared as if Ryan Brodie, one of the best high school football offensive linemen in the nation and the No. 9-ranked recruit in all of New Jersey, was earmarked for Rutgers.

 
After all, Brodie’s close friend and former Long Branch High School teammate, Miles Shuler, is already on the Scarlet Knights’ football roster, and has been active in trying to lure the talented 6-foot-5, 280-pound offensive tackle to join Shuler in Piscataway.
 
Brodie was destined for Rutgers. That was the consensus through the summer months, especially when Brodie was spotted at two different Rutgers camps. But just recently, Brodie has stated that he is not even close to making a final decision and several ACC schools are in the mix. Brodie is considering offers from Boston College, Virginia, North Carolina, North Carolina State and Miami, with Virginia being one of the schools at the top of Brodie’s list.
 

“I have a few things to think about before I make my decision,” Brodie said after watching Rutgers defeat Pittsburgh last week, fueling some speculation that he was leaning toward Rutgers. “It’s not a done deal at all. The recruiting has been crazy and I’ve been talking to a lot of coaches, but I’m not ready yet. I know a few schools are showing a lot of interest. I’m still trying to show what I have to offer. It’s still up in the air. I really don’t know yet.”
 

Brodie has a very unique workout regimen, one that is beneficial since he lives so close to the Jersey Shore — and it has nothing to do with Snooki or The Situation.
 

“I like to run on the beach about five, maybe six days a week,” Brodie said. “If it’s warm enough, then I go for a swim. That helps with my cardio workouts. I like working out.”
 

Brodie never played organized football until two years ago. He was strictly a basketball player and has remained that way through his days at Long Branch.
 

But Long Branch head coach Dan George encouraged Brodie to join the football team last year and he immediately paid dividends as both a fine blocking tackle in Long Branch’s spread offense, as well as a devastating defensive end.
 

Brodie has helped to turn the Long Branch program around. It was once a doormat, but has developed into a perennial power, thanks to George and veteran assistant coach John Amabile.
 

Brodie’s stock skyrocketed after his performances at camps and clinics over the summer. He was named the Offensive Line Most Valuable Player at the Schuman National Scouting Combine in June, causing several NCAA Division I schools to take notice.
 

Scouts love Brodie’s combination of size and speed. He’s been clocked at 4.8 in the 40-yard dash, almost unheard of for someone of that size. He’s considered among the most athletic high school linemen in the country
 

I work hard at working out,” Brodie said. “I stay focused in whatever I’m doing, whether it’s football or basketball. I always know what I have to do to get ready for the day, for whatever challenge is coming my way.”
 

Brodie said that he loves blocking with the Long Branch spread formation and their Wildcat sets, but he is also fond of playing defensive end. However, he’s graded out to be an offensive tackle on the collegiate level and with a little more bulk, he could develop into a top-flight tackle with high professional aspirations.
 

“I know one thing is for sure,” Brodie said. “I move my feet well. People always tell me that.”Brodie is anticipating the college experience.
 

“It’s the one thing I’m really looking forward to doing a lot,” Brodie said. “I want to go to college to learn, to meet people and to study and have fun.”
 

Several ACC schools are hopeful that Brodie decides to study, have fun and play football at their school, but a decision is not pending, probably not until he takes all of his official visits. He will more than likely decide close to the national signing day in February.