"I went to Ole Miss a couple of weekends back, and I am in Wisconsin right
now about to look at their campus, added Anthony Gatti. "I have not been
anywhere else this summer. After I left Ole Miss, our family went down to Destin
(FL) for a vacation, and I have just ben taking it easy."
Was this the first time to see Ole Miss?
"Yes it is. I have some family from around there, but this was my first chance
to see everything around there."
What new did Gatti learn about the Rebels?
"I learned a lot about their staff, and how they have been together for a
while. I also saw how beautiful their campus is and how nice their facilities
are. It is definitely one of my top schools. I really liked it a lot."
Did it meet Anthony's expectations?
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Anthony Gatti |
"It definitely exceeded my expectations. I was just expecting it to be
your normal college town, and it exceeded it a lot. That is why they are one
of my top three schools. I like their coaches, campus, and facilities a lot.
I think it is a really good fit for me."
What did the Ole Miss coaches try and sell to the Parkway North standout?
"They thought I would be a great fit for their offensive line, and they
are not afraid to start a redshirt freshman or younger guys in general."
What caught Gatti's ear?
"When they talked about the success they have had. Coach Nutt beat LSU
when they won the national championship, and then he beat Florida last year
when they won it. They won the Cotton Bowl last year, and are predicted to contend
for the national championship this year. I feel really good about the direction
he is taking that program. I really like that school a lot. They are definitely
one of my top choices."
Who else is in Gatti's Top 3?
"Missouri and Wisconsin."
Which schools have now offered?
"Missouri was my last offer. Kansas was my first offer and Ole Miss offered
me next. During the Spring, a lot of schools started coming by and evaluating
me. I picked up offers from Wisconsin, Wake Forest, Indiana, and Vandy and then
Missouri just offered me a week or so back."
Who is closest to offering next?
"Iowa, I think. They are getting close. They have been talking to me for
a while. They do it a lot slower."
What does Anthony like about Wisconsin?
"I heard a lot about their campus, and I can't wait to see it today. I
heard it is really nice. They have finally come together. They had a program
that succeeded in the past, and I think they are coming up again."
Gatti expands on Wisconsin.
"They came to my school two times and talked to me and my coach a lot.
This will be my first time to meet their whole staff so we will see. I just
want to see how they work together and how they work their program and how I
will fit in. That is what I want to know about all of the schools."
Missouri brings Gatti that home state flavor.
"I have always liked Missouri because I have grown up here, and I have
been up there a lot and know a lot of their students. All of their coaches are
great, but really, all of the coaches from all of the schools I have met are
great."
Does Anthony have a timeframe on a decision?
"I want to go ahead and commit before my season starts. I do not want that
hanging over my head all through my senior year."
Gatti reports a 21 ACT/ 2.9 GPA.