Loper is a Wildcat

Many players will jump at the chance to play at the FBS level no matter what the school, but there is a lot to be said for players that take the option of going to elite FCS programs that provide excellent academic opportunities as well. This is what Eric Loper saw in the Villanova Wildcats this weekend on his visit, which is why he is now a Cat.

Eric Loper, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound cornerback from Timber Creek Regional High School in Erial, N.J., gave the Villanova Wildcats his verbal commitment today on his first official visit of the season. He also had offers from Akron and Buffalo.

“I committed to Villanova today before I left the school,” Loper said. “I went down for an official visit and told the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach that I wanted to talk to Coach (Andy) Talley. I told Coach Talley that I wanted to commit and he said he was extremely happy because I was their top priority at defensive back. They want me to start coming up as much as possible so I can start learning about the schemes and get comfortable with the team.”

“I committed to them because I like a lot about them,” Loper added. “It’s a very prestigious school on an academic level, so I’ll be taken care of down the line in life with that diploma. I mean, I want to play in the NFL, but that doesn’t always happen. I loved my host and all of the other players there and the environment was just great there. We all hung out together and it felt like family. I guess when I looked at the total package I just knew that it was a great place for me to go.”

Loper has been told to expect to challenge for a starting spot at cornerback as a freshman, so he realizes he has a lot of work to do over the next several months to get ready for that opportunity.