Sports

Jefferson’s Ogundeko enjoys ‘The Opening,’ nears college decision

The moment he walked into the room it began.

First, Tottenville coach Jim Munson suggested Ebenezer Ogundeko try on Augustus Edwards’ gray Syracuse hat. Edwards, who committed to the Orange at a Tuesday morning press conference, offered his blue Syracuse t-shirt to Ogundeko, his good friend.

The Thomas Jefferson outside linebacker/defensive end smiled, but didn’t don any of the gear.

That’s for two weeks from now – whether it is apparel from Syracuse, Florida or Notre Dame. The hulking rising senior, just back in town after taking part in Nike’s “The Opening” in Beaverton, Ore., will commit July 24, he said, at Aviator Sports Complex in Brooklyn.

Before then, he will take one more visit to Syracuse, along with Edwards, on Sunday.

“I want to see if that’s the place for me or not,” Rivals.com’s 12th-ranked defenisve end in the Class of 2013 said of the upstate program which has landed several of the city’s top prospects in recent years.

Tottenville star running back isn’t the only top prospect in Ogundeko’s ear. During “The Opening,” a combine for the nation’s top prospects, verbal commits from Florida and Notre Dame tried convincing Ogundeko to join them.

He had a blast in Oregon, proving he belongs among the nation’s best. Last year, Erasmus Hall’s Wayne Morgan, who is coincidentally at Syracuse now, attended the event and said many of the participants were surprised a player from New York City was invited. Ogundeko had a similar experience.

“They didn’t know we played football in New York City,” recalled the 6-foot-4, 230-pounder, who had 79 tackles and 11 sacks as a junior and has been selected to play in the Under-Armour All-American Game. “They didn’t know we had fields out here.”

He enjoyed himself and felt he performed well in a series of drills meant to showcase individuals’ talents, strength and speed.

“I think I stacked up pretty good,” Ogundeko said. “I had to get used to the competition. It’s not like New York where one move will work. I had to learn different moves. … I had to turn it up.”

Now that he back home, and the time is nearing on his college decision, Ogundeko will consult with those close to him and make his choice based on his comfort level, campus life, playing time and the opportunity to get to the next level.

He said Edwards’ decision to attend Syracuse “impacts me a lot.”

“Augustus, that’s my ‘bro,’” Ogundeko said. “Me and him are very close. We give each other advice. He wants the best for me and I want the best for him.”

Ogundeko later added: “It puts pressure on me. If he’s going, why am I not going?”

While the Orange have landed many of the city’s top prospects since head coach Doug Marrone took over, in 2009 they have lost on the two biggest ones, Curtis’s Dominique Easley (Florida) and Lincoln’s Ishaq Williams (Notre Dame). Ogundeko isn’t sure that will help or hurt Syracuse in his case.

“I have an idea [what school I’m going to pick],” he said, “but I haven’t decided yet.”

zbraziller@nypost.com