Akron Beacon Journal
8/24
Posted on Wed, Aug. 24, 2005
PUTTING AGGRESSION TO GOOD USE
Hudson standout senior lineman Nagy keeps defense on his mind
By Tom Gaffney
Beacon Journal sports writer
Hudson's Billy Nagy is an offensive lineman by trade and a defensive lineman by inclination.
That is convenient, since some major colleges want him on one side of the ball and others think he is more suited to the other side.
``It is flattering that the schools think that,'' said Nagy, a 6-foot-5, 305-pound senior. ``I am being recruited mostly on offense, but some want me for defense. I think I am more defensive-minded. I am very aggressive, and defensive linemen have to be aggressive and nasty.''
In 2004, Nagy was named Northeast Ohio-Inland all-district and second-team all-state in Division I and first-team All-Beacon Journal -- as an offensive tackle.
Nagy, who joins Ryan Palmer of GlenOak as the most highly recruited offensive linemen in the area, already has 20 scholarship offers. Wisconsin and Syracuse are the early favorites, and are in the majority of those that want him on offense.
Nagy offers the two-way option because of his athleticism. He also is a pitcher -- please attempt to picture that in your mind -- on the Explorers' baseball team and played basketball for Hudson as a freshman and sophomore.
He realizes that versatility means he could be recruited for one position and end up at the other in college.
``Defensive linemen tend to be more athletic, so schools look at me there. I am big, so they look at me for offense,'' said Nagy, who has been timed in 5.0 seconds in the 40 and can bench-press 370 pounds. ``I like playing both, so wherever they need me is fine.''
Nagy obviously was the anchor on the Hudson offensive line last season for a team that went 8-3, tied for first in the Western Reserve Conference-South and reached the first round of the Division I playoffs. He also had 50 total tackles, two sacks and five quarterback pressures for a defense that had three shutouts and permitted an average of only 9.3 points per game.
Hudson coach Tom Narducci, a former assistant at Ohio University, said the college that gets Nagy will be landing a precious commodity.
``He is a 2-for-1 kid... that's what makes him so valuable,'' Narducci said. ``He is effective on either side of the ball, so he could end up on offense or defense. He is so athletic for a 300-pounder.
``He has a good base, good bend in his waist and knees, and great leverage. He also has a nasty streak in him and is a competitor.''
For the record, Ohio High Magazine has him ranked No. 15 among senior college prospects in the state and has him as one of the few players listed with two positions -- defensive tackle and offensive lineman.
Nagy's height and weight are a natural fit for a lineman, but not for his other sport. He was a major contributor to the Hudson baseball team in the spring, relying on a fastball, curve and split to get batters out, primarily as a relief pitcher.
``It would be intimidating, I guess. A few people have looked at me in surprise. You don't see pitchers my size very often,'' Nagy said.
``I have played baseball all my life. I love it.''
Nagy also loves football and he is ready for his senior season with the Explorers, his third as a starter.
In those three years, Hudson has either won or shared the WRC-South title and made the state playoffs each time, compiling 28-6 record.
He said he feels fortunate to be part of a resurgence in Hudson football, which Narducci and his staff put in place in 1996.
``When you think of Hudson, you didn't used to think of football,'' said Nagy, who has a 3.4 grade-point average said. ``We have come a long way. It's fun. We have a tradition in football now.''
Nagy is optimistic that another season of achievement awaits his team. The Explorers will be competing in what essentially is a new league -- the WRC-8 -- that will include favored and powerful Solon.
Hudson has a solid list of returnees, but graduation losses have been substantial, too.
``We are very close as a team. You have to trust the person next to you and we all do,'' Nagy said.
``We lost some seniors, but we have a lot of guys who are ready to step up.''
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