 |
Ryan Izzo (top), celebrating with Davis Butts, scored 58 goals last season to lead Walpole to the Division 2 state title. (Barry Chin/File/The Boston Globe) |
Option play: Izzo picks UMass lax
With a little over a week remaining before the beginning of his senior campaign on the gridiron, Walpole’s Ryan Izzo yesterday verbally committed to play lacrosse at the University of Massachusetts.
This may come as a surprise to some because of the success Izzo has enjoyed as a running back. He is a two-time Division 2 Player of the Year and Super Bowl champion. He is also 177 points from breaking Nathan Sherr’s state scoring record of 682 points. He also has the chance to top Cedric Washington’s record of 6,688 career rushing yards.
While his football accolades are well known, Izzo is no slouch at lacrosse. The midfielder has 93 career goals, including 58 last year when he helped lead the Rebels to the Division 2 state crown.
“Obviously, a lot of people [were] thinking football for me based on the stats and the past couple years, but in the end I just saw myself playing lacrosse as a better choice,’’ Izzo told the Daily News Transcript of Dedham.
Izzo also told the paper he felt relieved to have his decision made.
Jason Andalo, Izzo’s lacrosse coach, lauded his player’s patience and choosing the sport that makes him most happy.
“Usually lacrosse recruits commit before their junior season,’’ Andalo said. “Ryan considered all his options and didn’t make a decision until he felt sure enough and knew what he wanted to do.
“After looking at all his options and considering what he wanted to do the next few years of his life, Ryan chose a sport that he was happy with.’’
Andalo said there was considerable interest in Izzo at the end of last season.
“Teams had interest in Ryan,’’ said Andalo. “I didn’t talk to him much about the recruiting process before last year, but I told him that I think he can play [at the next level] and I would help him,’’ said Andalo.
It’s apparent many thought he could play football at the next level, too. According to ESPN’s college recruiting page, Boston College, UNH, Syracuse, and UMass were recruiting Izzo for football.
Over the summer, Izzo participated in a lacrosse camp in Maryland. At the camp, Izzo separated his shoulder and his status for Walpole’s first football game, Sept. 11 against Framingham, is uncertain.
© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.
