For some reason I get fired up when true centers announce their commitment. My bias leads me to think that they have a chance to start sooner-rather-than-later since they do not have to be “converted” to center. I truly hope this is the case for Ocean’s Caruso. After hitting the summer camp circuit hard, showcasing his abilities to schools such as Villanova, Monmouth, Holy Cross, Colgate, Sacred Heart, and Old Dominion, it was one of the final schools he visited that jumped all over him and he jumped to them with open arms. After graduating in the spring of 2024, Caruso intends to head up to Massachusetts to attend Merrimack and play ball for the Warriors.

The Ocean Spartans have a big, nasty o-lineman in the trenches. At 6’3 290lbs Nick Caruso Nick Caruso 6'3" | 290 lbs | OL Ocean Township | 2024 State NJ is an o-lineman through and through, and happy to be such. On the season Caruso registered 28 pancake blocks – a statistic that does not often get recorded and reported.

Having Caruso play center is a big plus for his recruiting profile, as it is one less thing that prospective college coaches need to implement. As a center Caruso gets to the defense’s second very quickly. One he arrives, Caruso is able to lock on to his matchup and not relinquish control. Caruso knows when to make his life easier too, allowing undisciplined d-linemen to run upfield and away from pressure. Caruso is big and strong enough to stonewall full-speed blitzers as well. Caruso would benefit from improving his flexibility, thus allowing him to play with lower leverage, and include clips of him double teaming on his highlight tape – it is something recruiters actively look for.

Caruso is a key cog to what the Spartan’s offense is all about. He seems like a plug-and-play type of kid who is football savvy and does many things well. Given his size and position, expect him to get several college looks.