A. Heritage's Wheeler built to succeed

JOE RIMKUS JR. / MIAMI HERALD STAFF American Heritage lineman Jared Wheeler wants to be an engineer. Broward No. 7 Recruit LARRY BLUSTEIN'S COMMENTS: When he walks across the stage and receives his diploma in May of 2009, this standout will have played more varsity football games than any other lineman ever in the state of Florida. After starting on both sides of the ball as a seventh grader at Sheridan Hills Christian School, he hasn't missed a beat. Florida, Miami and Stanford are in an elite group.

He's a 6-6, 305-pound rising senior.

He drives a family-size van, which he uses to haul five of his eight brothers and sisters to Plantation American Heritage.

And if the NFL doesn't come calling, he plans to become an engineer.

American Heritage offensive lineman Jared Wheeler doesn't do small. From his size to his automobile to his career and football aspirations, Wheeler is big and he thinks that way, too.

Wheeler started playing football in middle school at 6-0, 200 pounds. Five years ago, when the football program at Sheridan Hills got under way, Wheeler was among the 22 players on the varsity team.

''Back then, I'm this little seventh grader playing spring football,'' Wheeler said. ``I'm going up against 300-pound boys at the time and I never got off the field. . . . I was on the kick return, punt return, punt team, offense and defense. I played everywhere. Anything that includes running people over, I loved it and still do.''

It's that kind of effusive attitude and work ethic that has Wheeler preparing this spring for what should be an eventful senior year.

''Jared is sitting on top of the world right now,'' coach Byron Walker said.

Wheeler, who is rated among the top 25 prospects in Florida, has impressed college scouts with his size, smarts and athleticism.

The 18-year-old said he has received scholarship offers from every Southeastern Conference school and most BCS schools.

''It's a shorter list of who has not offered Jared,'' Patriots offensive coordinator Brandon Walker said.

For all the opportunities he has in football, however, Wheeler's college choice will come down to a much more important matter. With a 4.1 GPA, Wheeler said he is more interested in which school has the best engineering program.

''I'm going to spend the summer looking at places,'' Wheeler said. ``The big thing for me is the academics.''

Division I schools have plenty to like about Wheeler. In addition to being a model student and citizen, the burly left tackle is relentless in his practice habits.

And it's not just the work ethic that makes Wheeler such a prized prospect.

Along with his younger brother, Jacob, Jared plays basketball for the Patriots, which has helped his football skills.

''A lot of times you find high school linemen who are statues,'' Brandon Walker said. ``They don't move very well. Jared bends very well and he runs really well and part of it is because he's been playing basketball a long time.''

In fall 2009, Wheeler will be at a Division I football program and could even start as a freshman, given his knowledge of the game.

''I'm not just saying this because he's my brother,'' said Jacob Wheeler, a right tackle. ``But he's really football-smart. He's quick to react to whatever the defense is doing and sees things happen at the line before anyone else does. That's big right there.''