Henderson offensive lineman Nick Siler committed to Air Force after visiting the Colorado Springs, Colo., campus this past weekend. Siler confirmed his commitment with ETSN.fm on Monday evening.

Siler, who also visited Louisiana Tech, North Texas, and ULL, picked the Falcons because the impact it will have on his life after football. Siler is excited about his career opportunities after graduating from the Air Force Academy and fulfilling a five-year commitment to the Air Force.

"You'll have a job anywhere," said the 6-4, 255-pounder. "The quality of the people at Air Force, they're top-notch. They're the best. It'll just make me more disciplined and help me out in life. I love their program and what they've got going for them."

Henderson coach Dickey Meeks was not at all surprised when Siler told him the news.

"He had mentioned to me back in the spring when they were recruiting him real hard that an opportunity to go to a D-I school with that kind of education would be awesome," Meeks said. "I think that he is (a solid commitment). It's kind of hard to say this early, but knowing the kind of kid he is and knowing him like I do, that's kind of the deal he's been waiting for."

In addition to the four aforementioned programs, Siler also holds offers from ULM, SFA, and McNeese State.

Meeks said Siler's solid frame and penchant for nastiness have made him a popular target before he's even stepped on the field as a senior.

"I think that they know he's not near a finished product yet," Meeks said. "A lot of coaches have told me he's so aggressive. He's not the biggest offensive lineman out there, but he still has the potential to get that size, and the physical nature is already there."

Siler pointed out that Air Force's tendency to not have large lineman was another factor in his decision.

"If they want to make me 300 pounds, that's going to affect my health and everything," Siler said. "They're physically fit."

Air Force's offensive linemen weigh in the 245- to 260-pound range, according to the roster on the Falcons' website. That's an aspect of the Air Force football program the Falcons are known for, along with running the triple option offense.

Siler has already grown plenty, anyway. When Henderson played Chapel Hill in the Class 3A Division I state championship in Dec. 2010, then-sophomore Siler weighed 184 pounds. He's added 71 pounds since.

He credits former Henderson strength and conditioning coach Robert Ellis and current Lions athletic trainer Matthew Dyson for helping his physical development.

"(Ellis) helped my game and got me where I needed to be. He and coach Dyson," Siler said. "I've had some injuries in the past and coach Dyson's got me back to where I needed to be."

Siler joins Henderson athlete Patrick "Monster" Brown as the Lions who have garnered the most recruiting attention entering the 2012 season. Brown, who is a standout in all three phases of the game, holds offers from D-I FBS schools New Mexico State and ULM and D-I FCS program Central Arkansas.

Siler expects a strong offensive line to block for Brown and whoever replaces record-setting Del Barnes at quarterback for the Lions in 2012, despite losing a quality lineman in Henderson State signee Anthony Brister from last year's unit.

"We're bigger, stronger and faster," Siler said. "I think we'll be better than we were last year. I just think we're at a better spot than we were last year."

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