Dominique Easley is still committed to Penn State, but the dominant defensive lineman isn’t sure if he will sign with the Big 10 powerhouse on Feb. 3, 2010, which is National Signing Day.
Easley took an official visit to Happy Valley over the weekend, one week after visiting Oregon and watching the Ducks top rival Oregon State, 37-33, to reach the Rose Bowl.
“He just wanted to see someplace else,” Curtis coach Pete Gambardella said. “He’s still committed to Penn State, as of right now. He’s still a 17-year-old kid, so his mind might change.”
He enjoyed both equally. He took in Penn State’s basketball game against Virginia Tech and spent the rest of the time with Nittany Lions players and coaches, touring the scenic campus.
“The people were cool and the atmosphere was great,” said Easley, The Post’s All-Staten Island Player of the Year. “They’re a great school, I love them.”
Easley, Gambardella said, wanted to see what another program not located in the East could offer. Before verbally committing to Penn State, he visited Florida and Georgia. Plus, Oregon has a local connection – Tottenville graduate and Brooklyn product Jerry Azzinaro is in his first season as Oregon’s defensive line coach and Oregon coach Chip Kelly is a New England native.
“It’s not like going out West with guys that are from out West,” Gambardella said. “If he chose Oregon, there would be East Coast [guys].”
The 6-foot-3, 260-pound Easley led Curtis to its second PSAL City Championship division title in three years, racking up 16 sacks and 73 tackles. He will participate in the Under Armour All America game in Orlando on Jan. 2, 2010, which will be televised by ESPN.
He may not have made a decision by then. Easley said he could wait until Feb. 3 to be 100 percent certain. Where he goes is still up in the air.
“I’m not sure yet,” Easley said.