Staten Island gridder Joe Ramos makes Bucknell University commitment official

It started off as an innocent family trip to visit an uncle in Pittsburgh.

But by the time Joe Ramos hopped in the car to head home, he received an offer from the school he’d eventually commit to for the next four years.

Ramos, in fact, signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Bucknell University on a full football scholarship, the Advance/SILive.com has learned.

Ramos, a former St. Peter’s safety who decided to transfer out of the New Brighton school before reclassifying two years ago, received the offer from the Bison coaching staff over the summer.

“What a surprise that was,’' said the New Springville about getting a phone call from Bucknell. “We were on a family vacation and I got the call in front of my whole family, everyone was right there.

“I put them on speakerphone so my parents could listen too. It was a great feeling.’'

Ramos left St. Peter’s following the 2018-19 school year and transferred to the Peddie School in Hightstown, N.J., where he repeated his junior year. However, when Peddie changed its coaching staff after last season, he opted to transfer again and enrolled into Blair Academy in Blairstown, N.J.

Unfortunately, he never played a down for Blair because of the coronavirus pandemic

Ramos verbally committed to the NCAA Division 1 school in September before signing on the dotted line on Wednesday.

“Bucknell is a perfect fit for me both academically, which has always been important, and athletically,’' he said. “Between (the scholarship), the academics, and a (second-year) coaching staff, it worked out. I’m very happy.’'

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Ramos said he’s planning to add 20 pounds and play a hybrid role as an outside linebacker with the Bison.

“(The coaching staff) definitely likes my potential with the height and weight and wants me to peak at 225 (pounds)‚’’ he said. “They like the physicality I bring, that they can move me around the

field and that I’m a ball hawk that gives 100 percent on every play.’'

According to Ramos, Bucknell head coach Dave Cecchini and his staff said getting time right away is a possibility, but “either way, I’m going to go in and work hard whether I play right away or not.’'