Recruiting process heats up for West Milford's Zack Milko
WEST MILFORD - It’s been a busy few weeks for West Milford senior football standout Zack Milko.
Ever since the Highlanders football season ended earlier last month following a first-round state playoff loss to Paramus, Milko’s phone has been ringing and he’s been meeting with different college coaches as he ponders his future.
“Things have definitely picked up over the last month and I’ve had some productive and promising conversations with several college coaches in the last week,” Milko said, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound dual-threat quarterback who guided West Milford to its best season in nine years and the school’s first playoff appearance since 2015. “Playing football on the next level has been a goal of mine and a dream and it’s becoming a reality.”
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Last week, Milko met with Rutgers assistant coach Drew Lascari and Director of High School Relations representative Rick Mantz, who floated the idea of having him try out for the Scarlet Knights as a preferred walk-on, an offer college coaches and recruiters give athletes and assure them a spot on the team but are unable or unwilling to offer a scholarship now.
Lascari, who is familiar with North Jersey scene, grew up and played at nearby Pequannock High School and began his coaching career at Don Bosco Prep where he spent six seasons with the Ramsey-based parochial school.
“Rutgers is a great school and it’s known for its business program,” Milko said, who has a 4.37 GPA and is ranked 11th in his class. “The PWO offer from Rutgers was my first real offer from a college and it’s really a blessing. I feel that will open some other doors for me.”
Earlier this week, Dartmouth coach Buddy Teevens paid a visit to the Milko residence and offered Milko on the spot. Over the last year, Milko has spent a considerable amount of time visiting different Ivy League schools and attending their camps. This past spring, he visited Harvard, Columbia, Princeton and Cornell to name a few.
“Obviously, Dartmouth is Ivy League and I’ve always seen myself as attending and playing for an Ivy League program,” Milko said, who is being recruited as a quarterback and athlete. “It’s rewarding knowing that a school like Dartmouth recognizes me for both my academics and athleticism.”
The most recent school to reach out to Milko was Columbia. Lions offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Mark Fabish, another North Jersey native who starred as a student-athlete at Bergen Catholic in the early 1990s and then UPenn, visited with Milko and the West Milford athletic department.
Columbia, just a stone’s throw away in Manhattan, NY, intrigues Milko as it’s close to home as well as Wall Street, a place the projected finance major sees himself working in the future.
“There’s a lot Columbia offers, and it could be an ideal situation both now and down the road,” Milko said. “I like the city and my family is not too far away.”
Though he’s keeping his options open leading up to National Signing Day on Wednesday, Feb. 6, Milko is encouraged by the recent contact from college coaches and recruiters and is hoping additional offers pour in over the next few weeks.
“Doors are opening and I’m going to take the time to review everything and see what’s best for my future,” Milko said. “I’m blessed with the opportunities and I’m enjoying the process. Everyone I’ve spoken with has been great and very helpful. I’m not leaning towards any school right now. I’d like the recruiting process to play out and I’m hoping there’s additional opportunities and contact with other schools over the next few weeks.”