In the past two years, 98 percent of its students have gone on to colleges and more than two-thirds have received four-year scholarships.

N.C. State football fans may hear a lot more about Milford in the future.

Jake Vermiglio, a 6-foot-5, 305-pound offensive tackle at Milford who committed to the Wolfpack last week, might be the first in what becomes a stream of players.

The key is new Wolfpack coach Tom O'Brien, who built a relationship with Milford coach William Chaplick when O'Brien was at Boston College.

"Tom O'Brien is a great coach," said Chaplick, a former Boston College player. "I've known him for 10 years and I've worked his camps.

"The man averages nine wins a season, graduates his players and does a great all-around job with his kids."

Milford has 20 players on this year's 7-3 team who have received Division I scholarship offers, including North Carolina recruits cornerback LeCount Fantroy and linebacker Wesley Flagg and Miami running back recruit Graig Cooper.

Chaplick said State isn't recruiting other Milford players now, but probably will in the future.

Vermiglio will be a starter at State eventually, Chaplick said.

"He's a 305-pounder who can run with tight ends and linebackers," he said. "He never misses practice, works hard and wants to get better. He already is a good pass blocker."

A native of Rochester Hills, Mich., Vermiglio went to Milford when he didn't receive any football scholarship offers following his senior season at Stoney Creek High.

State was one of six schools to offer him a scholarship this year.

The Wolfpack also has received commitments from 6-foot, 210-pound running back Curtis Underwood of Lackawanna, N.Y., and punter Jeff Ruiz (6-2, 185) of Southwestern Community College in Chula Vista, Calif.

Underwood rushed for 2,114 yards and scored 21 touchdowns last season.

Ruiz, who averaged 43.3 yards per punt at Southwestern, will have three years of eligibility remaining.

NO. 1 CONSIDERS HEELS: Marvin Austin, the top defensive prospect in the country, has North Carolina among his final four possible college choices.

Austin (6-3, 300) has narrowed his list to UNC, Maryland, Tennessee and Florida State.

"Carolina right is in there with them," Washington (D.C.) Ballou coach Moses Ware said. "It is a definite possibility."

Austin's decision is not expected to be affected by the defection of Ballou defensive tackle Lamar Milstead from UNC to Virginia.

Milstead (6-6, 290) committed to UNC while John Bunting was head coach.

Chris Gray, a 6-4, 240-pound offensive lineman from Landrum, S.C., also had committed to UNC but is now committed to Georgia Southern.