4-Star 2018 QB Artur Sitkowski Shines in Season Debut, Breaks Down Recruitment

MONMOUTH JUNCTION, N.J. — Quarterback Artur Sitkowski used a strong sophomore season to earn scholarship consideration from some of the most recognizable coaches in college football, but he wasn't pleased with how it ended.

His Old Bridge High School squad suffered a 42-0 defeat against rival South Brunswick High School in the Central Jersey, Group 5 championship. Sitkowski completed just four of 12 pass attempts for 78 yards, according to NJ.com, suffering two sacks and an interception in the route.

The wait for a payback opportunity wasn't long.

"When the [2016] schedule came out and our first game of the season was against South Brunswick, in their house, that was all the motivation we needed," he told Bleacher Report.

Sitkowski and Old Bridge reversed fortunes Friday night in their season opener, serving up a 31-28 upset victory on the road. This time around, the 4-star recruit accounted for two touchdowns, producing a gutsy performance that required him to make plays through the air and on the ground.

"It felt like a huge step forward for me and my teammates," he said. "This is huge win for our community."

The Old Bridge community has long considered Sitkowski a player capable of delivering these kinds of moments. His size (6'4", 218 pounds) and early collegiate interest (Big Ten Conference programs Rutgers and Maryland each extended offers before he took over starting duties last fall) set immense expectations entering his sophomore campaign.

Now underway as a junior, Sitkowski claims scholarship opportunities from nearly 20 universities, including several college football heavyweights. Ohio State, Florida, Miami and Michigan are among programs that entered his recruitment during this past offseason, when he placed a new level of focus on his personal development.

Sitkowski, who threw 16 touchdowns and four interceptions in 2015, invested extensive hours with his quarterback instructor and strength coaches. 

"I put a lot of time into throwing mechanics and footwork," he said. "It was all about repetitions; dealing with the little things over and over. I also did a lot of running."

Sitkowski, rated No. 4 nationally among pro-style quarterbacks in 2018 composite rankings, hopes those extra miles help launch a new narrative surrounding his overall skill set.

"A crack on me is that I'm a pocket passer and can't really move well," he said. "One of my goals this season is to show the state of New Jersey, and the entire country, that I can move for a big guy. I'm not a dual-threat guy with a crazy [40-yard dash time], but I'm not a statue back there. I can pick up a first down with my legs when needed."

Sitkowski explained Old Bridge implements a versatile offense that will require him to occasionally ramp things up in the aerial attack this season. However, the weekly game plan is dictated by matchups, and Friday's win was heavy on read-option plays. 

While he didn't inflict major damage as a downfield runner, Sitkowski compiled 34 rushing yards and a score. His massive physical frame made solo tackles difficult for defenders, and helped him rapidly recover from multiple powerful hits. 

Sitkowski faced a serious adversity test in the second quarter Friday, as he followed a crushing open-field collision with an ill-placed interception. Competing in a hostile environment against an opponent that allowed just nine Old Bridge points in two losses last season, his response was strong.

Sitkowski returned to the field for a half-ending drive that featured key pass completions and a 36-yard touchdown toss that zipped just beyond the reach of a South Brunswick defensive back. The score sent Old Bridge into intermission with a 28-21 lead and served notice of the young passer's poise.

Not far off the field, Rutgers head coach Chris Ash watched everything unfold.

"That really means a lot to me," Sitkowski said. "Rutgers is recruiting me really hard right now and I like Rutgers a lot. They're the home-state team and I grew up a Rutgers fan. To have the head coach from that university come out to watch my opener shows how much of a priority I am to them."

Ash attended the game alongside Scarlet Knights offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer, who was the first coach to contact Sitkowski on Sept. 1. That's when it became permissible for college staffs to proactively pursue direct communication with 2018 recruits. 

Mehringer reached out at 12:01 a.m.

"Sept. 1 was a crazy day and it's been pretty crazy since," Sitkowski said.

"

September 1st  pic.twitter.com/iYFgEx6wrJ

— Artur Sitkowski (@artursitkowski4) September 1, 2016"

Though he's just one game past the midway point of his high school career, the prized passer is already well-versed with the recruiting process. Sitkowski has spent time on campuses across the country, including Ohio State, South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Miami and Michigan.

Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh, who offered the Garden State gunslinger before they met in person, hosted him at Michigan in June. Just one week earlier, Sitkowski worked with Harbaugh at a satellite camp in New Jersey. 

"I definitely got a taste of Harbaugh," he said. "He's a coach that brings attitude and enthusiasm to every single thing he does. He loves the game of football and the quarterback position."

Sitkowski has also developed positive vibes toward a pair of coaching staffs in the Sunshine State. His experiences at Florida and Miami have motivated him to pursue return trips at some point.

"I really believe in [Hurricanes head coach Mark] Richt and what he's doing at Miami," Sitkowski said. "He's won a lot of college football games and he's produced big-time quarterbacks. They're building something special down there and it would be great to be a part of that if I did choose to go there."

Florida head coach Jim McElwain, now 12-4 with an SEC title game appearance since his arrival, also seems to have his squad in an enviable position.

"The Gators stick out to me a lot," Sitkowski said. "I had a soft spot the team growing up, I have family down in Florida, and I like McElwain and [offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier] a lot. They run a pro-style system and they're not really deep at quarterback so it gives you a chance to compete early."

He already hears from fellow New Jersey standout Fred Hansard—who committed to Florida last month via a Bleacher Report video—about potentially joining forces in Gainesville.

"

Blessed and excited to announce I received an offer from The University of Florida!! #Gators #ChompChomp pic.twitter.com/HwNYJUOiC4

— Artur Sitkowski (@artursitkowski4) July 23, 2016"

Florida is on the short list of contenders vying to host Sitkowski on Oct. 8, when he expects to take advantage of an Old Bridge bye week by locking down a long-distance visit. The Gators welcome LSU to town that Saturday, while he also expressed interest in traveling to Miami (vs. Florida State), North Carolina (vs. Virginia Tech) or South Carolina (vs. Georgia).

"It's really going to depend on which flight is the cheapest," Sitkowski said.

Aside from Oct. 8, he expressed plans to restrict game-day visits to his surrounding region, with Boston College, Pittsburgh and Maryland mentioned as potential destinations. Sitkowski intends to return to Rutgers on Nov. 19 for the program's prime-time matchup with Penn State.

Another Big Ten team is also in line to eventually land him on campus.

"I'm 100 percent going to take a trip to Wisconsin before it's all said and done," Sitkowski said. "I like Wisconsin a lot."

He wants to remain uncommitted throughout his junior campaign, targeting a commitment timeline that coincides with the conclusion of college football's spring evaluation period. An announcement could occur as early as June 1, Sitkowski shared.

Expect his national profile to expand by then, as he is a clear candidate to qualify for Elite 11 finals next spring.

"He's one of the best underclassmen we've seen this year in terms of how a guy projects to the next level," Student Sports President and Elite 11 evaluator Brian Stumpf told B/R in May. "When it comes to his ceiling over the next couple years, he might project higher than any of the 2017 quarterbacks at this camp [which featured Syracuse commit Tommy DeVito, Rutgers commit Johnathan Lewis, Texas commit Sam Ehlinger and UCLA commit Ausin Burton]. If he keeps developing, he has the chance to be a top-tier kid in next year's class."

Sitkowski displayed further development Friday, avenging an awful loss and taking another step toward becoming a complete quarterback prospect. Still likely at least nine months shy of a college commitment, he's not closing the door on any schools and welcomes new options with open arms.

"There are definitely two I'd like to hear from—Michigan State and Florida State," he said. "If those two schools were to offer me, they would really shake things up in my recruitment."

Quotes obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings.

Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.