Football scholarships grow in step with Edina lineman Tommy Doyle

Growing up, Tommy Doyle was no different from many Edina youths, dreaming of a future in hockey. He was pretty good, too, playing on three state championship-winning youth hockey teams.

"I made some of the 'A' teams,'' said Doyle, whose mother and father were University of Minnesota athletes. "I thought that was the sport I wanted to pursue."

His body, however, said otherwise. As Doyle grew, football coaches began to take notice. Last fall, as a junior standing 6 feet, 6 inches and weighing 250 pounds, he earned a starting spot on Edina's defensive line.

Now 6-7½ and 260 pounds — "And I'm still growing," Doyle said — he sees his athletic future in football. Colleges seem to agree.

Staff writer Jim Paulsen talked with Doyle about his rising profile as a college football recruit.

Q: How long have you been receiving attention from college football programs?

A: I didn't have much attention at first. It was just me and my dad. We hit the road, visited a lot of colleges, sent highlights to a lot of coaches, went to a lot of camps. We started getting more and more interest.

Q: Which colleges did you visit?

A: We've gone to so many. Miami of Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin, Iowa State, Michigan, Michigan State. You name it, we went there.

Q: One name in your list was missing: What about Minnesota?

A: Oh, yeah, I've gone there at least three times. I've watched their practices and I've been to the camp for the last few years.

Q: How many college have offered scholarships to you so far?

A: Six so far: Eastern Michigan, Nevada, Illinois State, South Dakota, South Dakota State and Northern Iowa.

Q: Are you holding out, waiting for, say, Big Ten offers?

A: The goal is to play Big Ten football, but I'm so grateful for those offers and feel blessed to have these opportunities.

Q: You said you're still growing. That must be a huge grocery bill.

A: [Laughs] Yeah, I'm eating about 6,000, 7,000 calories a day. It's definitely expensive.

Q: What are you eating?

A: A lot of potatoes, a lot of protein. A lot of chicken, steak, fruits and vegetables. For breakfast, I eat a cup of oatmeal, four eggs and an avocado.

Q: What's your favorite food?

A: I love sushi. My parents introduced me to it when I was young and I'm hooked. My mom and I go to a place in Prior Lake, Kyoto, that's all you can eat.

Q: What do college coaches like about you as a player?

A: My athleticism for a guy my size. They like my aggression and how I move.

Q: At what position are they projecting you?

A: Depends on the school. At Nevada, they want me as an offensive tackle, but Northern Iowa talked about playing defensive end. It's all over the spectrum. Iowa even mentioned playing some tight end.

Q: Do you have a preference?

A: I love playing defense and I love hitting people, but offensive tackle seems like the spot for me.

Q: Has any school really impressed you?

A: Maybe Wisconsin. I was impressed by them. I talked with their offensive line coach, but they also talked with me about being a defensive end in their 3-4 defense.

Q: When do you plan to decide?

A: A lot of people have asked me that. I just say I don't want to rush it. I'll do that when the time is right, but I'd like it to be sooner rather than later.

JIM PAULSEN