ORONO – Josh Radulski always fancied himself a basketball player.

As a freshman at St. Mark’s High School in Newark, Del., he was already 6-foot-4 and was carving a niche for himself as a small forward.

“I was planning on playing basketball in college, to tell you the truth,” Radulski said. “The only reason I went out for the football team in high school was to impress the basketball coach, because he said I should come out.”

Radulski was recruited by Division II schools for basketball and was a Division III baseball prospect as a pitcher, but it was football that would land the two-way end a Division I football scholarship.

The University of Maine football program got a line on Radulski late in his senior year. When it offered him a partial scholarship, he chose it over an offer from Division II West Chester University (Pa).

Radulski has taken advantage of his opportunity.

The 6-41/2, 252-pound senior is the Black Bears’ starting tight end for the second straight season, has earned a full scholarship, and is a key cog in the UMaine offense that is preparing for Saturday’s 6 p.m. Atlantic 10 opener against Richmond at Alfond Stadium.

“Josh is one of the obvious strengths of our offensive football team,” said UMaine head coach Jack Cosgrove.

“His success as an individual is going to lead to a ton of success for our offense,” he added. “Coach [and offensive coordinator Bobby] Wilder and the offensive staff, they want that kid on the field. He’s a guy who can help us win.”

UMaine found Radulski through the efforts of Orono native and former Maine Central Institute coach Lee Sibley, who was then the St. Mark’s football coach and now heads its boys basketball team.

Radulski’s transition was gradual as he played in only two games during his first three seasons in Orono. In 2004, he had breakthrough year when he earned All-Atlantic 10 second-team honors, ranking second on the team with 29 catches for 271 yards and five touchdowns.

Radulski accomplished all that despite playing with a torn tendon and a bone chip in his right thumb after being injured during spring ball in 2004. He played last season using a small splint-like device on the thumb.

In February, Radulski had extensive surgery to repair the tendon.

“I remember the first time they took my cast off,” he recalled. “I saw all the dried blood and I had to lay down. I got all lightheaded.”

Radulski was unable to participate in most of UMaine’s spring workouts, but has returned without any apparent ill effects. He already has six receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown, including a spectacular diving, one-handed catch in last Saturday’s game against William Penn.

“He made it look very easy and it was a difficult and impressive catch,” Cosgrove said. “He has great faith in his abilities.”

Radulski credits his workouts over the summer with quarterback Ron Whitcomb for helping the two develop a good rapport.

“I feel real confident Ron knows what I’m going to do, where I’m going to be on the field, so that definitely helps,” he said.

Radulski, who was named the “Sleeper” tight end for the 2006 NFL Draft by Consensus Draft Services, knows he needs to continue working on his speed and blocking ability if he wants to further his carrer.

He credited former UMaine offensive line coach John Strollo and current line coach Brian Scott with fostering his development.

For now, Radulski is intent, as a senior, on helping lead the Bears to more victories.

“Right now I’m just trying to help us win a championship here in my last season,” he said.