HAVING touched down in the Mid-West last week to start life on a sporting scholarship at a university in the United States, a Tavistock student has already become noticed by fans of the its football team.

Elliot Hoyte, 18, has taken up the scholarship, which combines American football with a degree in business studies, at Boise State University.

Their American football team, the Broncos, are rated at number seven nationally and it is a tremendous opportunity, and achievement by Elliot, who only took the sport up at the age of 14, before going on to play for the Bristol Aztecs and winning a place in Great Britain youth team.

Having won a place at Boise University, Elliot, a former Tavistock College student, now has an opportunity to come under the spotlight of NFL scouts in the major leagues.

University games can attract huge crowds and Boise University is considered one of the best.

Elliot, at 6ft 5ins and 20 stone, plays as a defensive-linesman and has already been dubbed 'Our Kinda Guy' by coaching staff.

His mother Rebecca, an English teacher at Tavistock College, said Elliot was loving it at Boise University.

She said: 'He told me that everybody is very friendly and positive about his football. His time with studies and training is very regimented but it's all new and exciting to him.

'It's all he ever wanted to do and now his dream's come true. He has worked hard for it and now he has an amazing opportunity to play and get noticed at the highest level in a sport he loves.'

'Elliot is a big person with a big personality and I'm sure he'll do well there, but obviously I miss him around the house.'

The young athlete has only been in Idaho for a few weeks but his presence has already been noticed by the Boise State University supporters.

Elliot said: 'I arrived last Monday early for an international student orientation. I spent most of the week getting to know the surrounding area and campus as there were next to no students on campus, as school didn't start until the following Tuesday.

'I started classes on Wednesday to work towards my degree of general business.

'The other freshmen players came in a few days after me and since we've been working hard in the gym to get in to shape for spring practice, which helps towards deciding who will start in the coming season. Next week workouts become mandatory and the tempo will be much higher.'

One Broncos fan already emailed the Times to say that the Tavistock youngster has already made his mark.

Richard Dalhgren, a Broncos fan, said: 'In the summer Elliot impressed the Bronco coaching staff with his athleticism and overall talent.

'He has only been on campus for two days. We will know how well he is doing by April 14, at the annual spring game.

'Players out of high school — 18 year olds for the most part — are rated with one to five stars. The established program grab the four and five star players.

'Boise State signs the two and three star players who are reported to be too short, a step slower, or unheard of, such as Elliot, to play at one of the major schools.

'The coaches at Boise State look for qualities other than athletics in who they recruit. They are referred to as OKG's (Our Kinda' Guy).'

Obviously Elliot is proving 'OKG' on both sides of the Atlantic.