DeStefano says spring game wasn't "dominant", will have decision Monday

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Thu May 19 22:23:11 GMT-04:00 2011

SPARTANBURG - The Dorman Cavaliers held the annual spring game Thursday evening, and most people were happy just to be near the sounds of football again.

Not Patrick DeStefano Patrick DeStefano
Offensive Line
6-4, 275
Roebuck, SC
View Full Profile , the strapping (6-4, 275) offensive tackle who will more than likely be the top-rated offensive lineman in the state this coming season.

DeStefano suffered a hip flexor injury early in spring practice, and he said he didn’t play anywhere near the level he is used to.

“That just makes me mad,” DeStefano told TigerNet following the game. “I have worked my butt off for four rigorous months. Four grueling months. And then I get hurt two days into spring practice. I got to practice yesterday, but that wasn’t enough.

“Tonight, I wasn’t getting beat, but I wasn’t dominating. I want domination and that wasn’t it. I know there is an excuse there, but you have to suffer through injuries. All in all, it was a good game, but it wasn’t up to my standards. Great beats good every single time.”

He said the injury didn’t cause him pain, but he still noticed he wasn’t 100 percent.

“It felt fine, and it didn’t hurt,” he said. “But it still doesn’t feel completely right. I just have to get back in there and strap it on. I still have a lot I have to prove to myself and to my teammates. They need me at my best.”

DeStefano has offers from many of the top programs, but he has decided to end his recruitment next Monday. Instead of announcing a short list of schools as he previously announced, he instead will announce his final decision at 3 p.m. in the Dorman press box.

“I have been everywhere I wanted to go, and I have seen all my options,” he said. “I know where my future family will be. I decided to commit not because I feel like I can have an impact on my classmates, and maybe I can influence some other guys to make decisions. I want to help my new team out.”

DeStefano said the school he has chosen is “home” in more ways than one.

“It feels like home, and I told everybody early on that the biggest thing for me is that I feel comfortable at that school,” he said. “When I commit, I am going to be at that school for the next four years. I have a plan, and I am going to stick it out until I am an alumni. I want to play great football, but I also want a great education. One day, football will end. Hopefully that is later rather that sooner.”