A. J. Sebastiano lunges for a pass during FAU's 7-on-7 tournament on Saturday. (FAUOwlAccess.com photo)
Owls offer Sebastiano
A long day of big plays paid off for the North Broward Prep receiver when FAU became the first school to offer him a scholarship.
Originally published on
7/17/2010
by
Chuck King
BOCA RATON – North Broward Prep wide receiver A. J. Sebastiano trudged off the field worn out and disappointed following the Eagles loss to Hialeah in the finals of FAU’s 7-on-7 tournament.
His day was about to get a lot better.
FAU coaches called him over to tell him how impressed they were with his effort and production in the tournament, during which he routinely beat some of the better defensive backs in South Florida for big plays.
After everyone had left the field, FAU coaches called him back over and offered Sebastiano a scholarship.
“A long day paid off,” Sebastiano said with a sigh. “It’s been a long, long three years. It’s really paid off. It’s like a weight off my chest, like a monkey off my back. It’s a dream come true.”
The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder caught 59 passes for 1,079 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior. He also nabbed five interceptions.
Sebastiano left FAU to talk the offer over with his family. He didn’t anticipate making a decision in the coming days.
“It would be kind of fun to be playing down the road so that all my friends and family can see me play,” Sebastiano said. “I want to find the right place where I can fit in. I want to see people working out and that are working hard to get better – who want to improve.”
North Broward Prep coach Rex Nottage was in the post-tournament huddle with Sebastiano when FAU coaches extended the scholarship offer.
“He’s the type of kid that would be the last one in the gym, then after the workouts would go grab the quarterbacks and throw,” said Nottage, who appeared almost as happy as Sebastiano with the offer. “He’s explosive and gets great separation. He’s so coachable and he runs unbelievable routes.”