High Schools - Temple is best choice for Neumann-Goretti's Custis

Temple came after Kadeem Custis with a fullcourt press.

Yes, this kid is a football player, but a basketball reference makes sense in part because Custis asked for relentless attention and it even extended to the hardwood sport.

As first reported in yesterday's Daily News, Custis, a 6-5, 270-pound down lineman prospect at Ss. Neumann-Goretti High, is indeed becoming an Owl. He confirmed that yesterday during an afternoon news conference at his school and, of course, revealed his specific feelings on the matter.

"When the recruiting process started, I told Temple how I wanted my family to be involved," Custis said. "They did that. They didn't stop. From bringing my mom [Jeanette] up to the campus to see how it was . . . To coming to watch a couple of my brothers' [Jamal and Sharif] basketball games.

"They kept talking to me, too. But they also kept telling me they weren't trying to pressure me into making a decision. And I thank them for that.

"It's no secret. As this started, West Virginia was my No. 1 choice. But Temple kept growing on me. They kept inviting me to be part of their family. I felt that bond."

Custis made official visits, in order, to Temple and West Virginia. He later nixed visits to North Carolina State, Pitt and Connecticut when he realized following through would have been a waste of his time, and those schools'.

Location, location, location was important; Custis admitted that he's something of a mama's boy.

While watching half of Temple's game vs. Ohio University, he enjoyed taking note that many defensive linemen were rotating in and out. That helped him envision early playing time.

On his visit, he absorbed good vibrations from Cardinal Dougherty product Quinten White, a freshman linebacker.

"Quinten told me about his whole recruiting experience with Temple," Custis said. "About how good they made him feel and why he committed. He said they gave him an opportunity to play D-I ball when he didn't even think he was good enough to do that. That meant a lot to him."

Overall, Custis described the recruiting process as fun.

"Toward the end, I was kind of stressed out," he said. "But then I finally realized where I wanted to go. I feel I made the best choice." *