After offering Swampscott High football star Brian Palangi a full scholarship, Northeastern University head coach Rocky Hager asked him to take a few days and consider it.
Hager understandably wanted to evaluate some other offensive linemen for a scholarship opportunity if Palangi had rejected the Huskies' offer. Palangi understood and didn't feel any pressure in responding to the offer.
It took all of 40 minutes for the nearly 6-foot-5, 285-pound offensive guard and defensive tackle to call Hager back with a positive reply.
Palangi's parents, Richard and Maureen, joined him when Brian spoke to Hager on the final day of an official three-day visit, and they discussed the presentation on the drive home.
"I think we were on the Lynnway when we all agreed NU was the school for me," said Palangi, a Nahant native who helped lead Swampsott to the Northeastern Conference Small title and Division 3A Super Bowl championship.
"To me, this is unbelievable. It's something I've been thinking about and hoping for since I was a sophomore."
A three-year starter for Swampscott, Palangi had been waiting on an offer from Maine and also visited Stonehill College. He had attended three camps at Boston College, the University of New Hampshire and Northeastern.
Swampscott coach Steve Dembowski may have initiated the contact with NU; he and Danvers native Wally Dembowski, the former Holy Cross star and current NU recruiting coordinator, are cousins.
"I wasn't expecting Coach Hager to make me the offer that day," Palangi said. "I enjoyed every minute of that visit. I love the city life. The coaches, the players I met, the great program, (and) they had the business courses I wanted. It's a great school."
Palangi was told he'd probably be red-shirted (sit out his first year) and learn all the positions in the offensive line. That was fine with him.
"It's a five-year school, and I'm in no rush," he said. "I've got time to develop my game and get stronger."
A senior honor student with a 3.3 grade-point average, Palangi had 102 career tackles with the Big Blue.
A team captain, and a Salem News and Northeastern Conference all-star, Palangi was an All-Scholastic choice and chosen for the Mass. Coaches Super 26. He will be performing in the Harry Agganis All-Star Football Classic this summer.
