Jordan Fuchs’ college decision was more complicated than that of other highly touted prospects.
In addition to picking a school, the Christ the King senior two-sport star had to pick between basketball, which he grew up on, and his new passion, football.
He went with the latter yesterday, choosing Connecticut over Rutgers, SMU, Buffalo and Stony Brook.
“I would never have thought this would happen,” said the 6-foot-6, 220-pound tight end, recruited by UConn assistant Jon Wholley. “Things change. A few years ago I wouldn’t have predicted this.”
SMU, Buffalo and Stony Brook offered Fuchs the opportunity to play both sports full time. Fuchs could have walked on for the basketball team at Rutgers and played football, while at UConn he will be solely a football player his first year and may walk on later.
It was a difficult decision. Scores of mid-major programs recently came into Fuchs’ picture — including local schools like Iona, Hofstra, Manhattan and Fordham — but his mind was made up.
“I’m going to miss it at times, but football is really what I want to do,” he said. “I feel like there is a higher ceiling for football, so I want to pursue that.”
A skilled small forward for Christ the King’s nationally recognized basketball program, Fuchs has caught on fast after going eight years without playing the sport. He took the field again last year and hauled in 27 receptions for 374 yards and five touchdowns for the Royals.