Dandy Dozen: Luke Sager (with VIDEO)

By ADAM PRUIETT

adamp@nwfdailynews.com

NICEVILLE - The first portion of last season was relatively nondescript for Luke Sager.

But by the end, Niceville's 6-foot-4, 240-pound defensive end had written a different script. And recruiting services and Division I scouts took notice.

At rivals.com, Sager is ranked as the 50th best weakside defensive end in the country. He's also rated No. 50 among defensive end prospects on ESPN.com.

Sager said he has received offers from a dozen schools with more likely to come. Right now, the 2008 Daily News Dandy Dozen selection said his top schools are South Florida and Mississippi State.

"I thought he started out slow but by the end of the year he was playing really good. That's why he's getting the attention he is," Niceville coach John Hicks said. "Luke has had a great summer. He's put himself in position to have a great senior year. He's got a lot of people looking at him."

Sager registered 54 tackles last season, including five sacks, as Niceville went 8-3 and earned a playoff victory.

While Sager appreciates the attention he's garnering from the next level, he's not reading too much into it.

"I'm just another player out there," Sager said. "I just want to have a good senior year and not get big-headed, not let anything affect the way I play. I'm just going to go out there and play like anybody else."

Sager, an All-Area honorable mention selection last season, will anchor a Niceville defensive line that is expected to be one of the team's strengths. One of the biggest pluses that Sager brings to the team is an all-out-on-every-play mentality.

"Everybody sees how hard he plays," Hicks said. "That's the first thing they notice: He's got a motor. He goes hard all the time. That's what they're looking for: size, speed and play hard, and he's got those qualifications."