Joseph Thuney happy to join Pack family
Joseph Thuney knew where he wanted to go to college and he didn't waste any time Monday night.
The 6-foot-5, 245-pound offensive lineman from Kettering (Ohio) Archbishop Alter High called NC State coach Tom O'Brien and gave his verbal commitment. The Rivals.com two-star prospect also considered Vanderbilt, West Virginia and Georgia Tech.
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Thuney, who was recruited by offensive line coach Don Horton, had officially visited Raleigh on Dec. 10-12.
"I really like the coaching staff and spent time with some players," said Thuney, 18. "I really felt comfortable and felt the coaches genuinely cared about the players and stuff. The program has always been good and successful.
"Coach O'Brien was very happy and seemed pretty thrilled about it. My family was also all excited. We were having dinner and just talked about finally committing. We just agreed it was time to do it right there and I gave them a call. They all gathered around and were excited."
Thuney was impressed with the campus and facilities at NC State.
"Raleigh is a great city and the campus is big, and they said it is the biggest in North Carolina," Thuney said. "I like going to a big program like that and the stadium is very nice. The dorms and apartments that the freshmen stay in are really nice. I just like the city a whole lot."
Thuney was impressed with Horton's background and ability to produce good players.
"He has been around football for a while and knows what he is doing, definitely," Thuney said. "He seems to be genuinely concerned about the players, on the field and off the field. That is a big plus."
O'Brien is originally from Cincinnati and is a former offensive line coach, which was also appealing to Thuney.
"Coach O'Brien is a great guy and he visited my house last Wednesday," Thuney said. "He was a Marine and coached at Boston College, so he really seems to know his stuff. He has been successful everywhere he has gone. He built that program at Boston College, and at North Carolina State, he's already doing a great job. I was impressed with his history. I just had a good feel for him."
Thuney is the first offensive lineman in the Wolfpack's class of 2011, and he joins Ohio natives Jeff Rieskamp, a redshirt junior defensive end, redshirt freshman linebacker Ryan Cheek, redshirt freshman tight end Anthony Talbert, freshman offensive lineman Andy Jomantas, freshman wide receiver Bryan Underwood and redshirt junior punter Andy Leffler. Jomantas hosted Thuney on his official visit.
"Jomantas is from my area and he has been through what I've been through with him being from Dayton," Thuney said. "He made the long trip down to Raleigh for college. He knew what it was like and I could ask him questions."
Thuney might major in business or something involving finance. He also plays basketball for his high school team, and has a game tonight.
Thuney is happy that such a big decision is out of the way and he can enjoy the holiday season and the rest of his senior year.
"It all built up and it is a great relief that it is done," Thuney said. "It's nice to do it right before the holidays and you don't have to go into January or February with any worries on where you want to go, or have pressure or stresses. It is a great time to do it."
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Video highlights of Thuney's first three games: