Tucson (Ariz.) offensive lineman
Kristofer O'Dowd denies a leader but said he favors
Ohio State,
USC,
UCLA,
Arizona,
Tennessee and
Nebraska. All have offered, as well as numerous others, except the Bruins.
"I don't want to say I have a favorite yet because it's just too early," said the solid 6-foot-4, 300 pounder with exceptional 5.0 forty speed. "I guess I could say that these are the ones that I'm looking at more closely at right now."
"I'm definitely considering Ohio State. They offered me last June. I love Columbus. It's such a great little college town. They like to run the ball and that's what I'm used to. Plus, being in the Big Ten is just a whole different experience. I've talked with Coach (John) Peterson and he came down here at the end of April. I'm probably going to take one of my officials there.
"USC is another possibility," said the youngster from Salpointe Catholic High School. "They offered me on April 4 after I went to their junior day. It was great. My coach told me to call Coach (Lane) Kiffin and when I did, Coach (Pete) Carroll came on the phone and told me I had the offer. My dad and I took a visit there this past Saturday (May 6). We met with Coach (Pat) Ruel and got to see the campus.
"I didn't really get to see the facilities since it was Saturday and everything was closed, but we watched some film with Coach Ruel. He said that they see me fitting in perfect with their type of offense. They run a lot of zone and it'll be easy to adjust to. My dad really liked Coach Ruel, especially when he said that he was ready to prepare me for the next level."
After his visit to USC, O'Dowd headed across town to Westwood to take a look at the Bruin campus. "UCLA's campus has to be the best I've ever seen. The facilities and the campus were really impressive. When I got there I didn't know what to expect since I hadn't received an offer from them. But talking with Coach (Karl) Dorrell really helped me understand things. He told me that they only had nine or ten scholarships available to offer this year, so they're taking their time and being really careful in deciding where they go ... that's why they hadn't offered me. Coach (Jim) Colletto and Coach Dorrell are really great guys. I felt a lot better knowing the situation they are in. I think they're waiting on me to tell them where I'm at before they give me the offer.
"Arizona is definitely up there ... it's my home town school," O'Dowd said. "I'm getting a lot of pressure from everybody to go to Arizona. Coach (Eric) Wolford offered me in the middle of my sophomore year ... it was my second offer. I love the campus and facilities and I know I could make a big impact my freshman year, but distance is not a big factor for me.
"I also like Tennessee and Nebraska. I don't really know much about them except that they both are great powerhouses. Nebraska offered in March. I haven't talked to them yet. I'm really curious to learn more about the program and the school.
"Tennessee offered the same day as USC," he said. "I've talked to Coach (Greg)Adkins. He said that I'd be a perfect fit for the Vols — aggressive and strong (bench presses 420). The coaches are coming down to my school this Thursday. I really want to meet them and discuss how they see me fitting into their program."
After visiting USC and UCLA, O'Dowd attended the Scout.com combine at Citrus College on Sunday, May 7. "I really had a great time at the combine. I thought Scout did a great job. It was a nice little system ... well organized. I think I performed well. I felt good about it. I got to compete against my good friend, Everson Griffen (defensive end), which was so great. My favorite was the one-on-ones. Everson and I went five times ... he won two, I won two and one was a draw. We decided to stop after that. I just want to say thanks to Scout.com for a great day."
Sherman Oaks (Calif.) offensive tackle Charlie Carmichael denies a favorite but said he has offers from
Arizona State,
Washington, Mississippi,
San Diego State,
UNLV and
Oregon. His latest one is from
Colorado State.
"Colorado State called me on May 2," said Carmichael, of Notre Dame High School. "It was the first time I'd ever talked to them. I really hadn't even got much mail from them, so I was sort of surprised when they told me I had an offer. I don't know much about the program, but I've been to the campus before a couple of years ago for a basketball game. I thought Fort Collins was a great little college town. The campus is really cool — it's nothing at all like USC or UCLA — it's really spread out. I'm going to take an official visit there for sure."
He's had a chance to trip up to Washington, Oregon and
Oregon State a couple of weeks ago. "I got my offer from Oregon when I was up there. We got up there and took a tour of the campus and facilities with Coach (Steve) Greatwood. The school and facilities were beautiful. Then Coach (Mike) Bellotti asked me and my parents to come into his office ... that's when he offered. It was great. He said he didn't know if I would be playing guard or tackle yet. He also said I'd probably redshirt next year — which is fine with me. Most of their linemen are juniors and seniors, so I'll see playing time as a sophomore. Coach Bellotti said they were only offering one or two linemen this year, so I felt really good.
"I really liked Washington a lot too," he said. "They were second of offer me, back in February. Coach (Tyrone) Willingham talked to us for a long time. My parents were very impressed because he told them that he makes sure all his players not only have success on the field, but in the classroom as well. It was my first time up there. I really thought the campus was beautiful and the stadium was really nice. I saw it with 10,000 people in it ... I can't imagine what 80,000 is like."
Carmichael wasn't as impressed with Oregon State. "Oregon State was kind of disappointing. I never got to talk with any of the coaches and it seems like they really weren't that interested in talking to us.
"I'm going to wait to narrow it down after I take all of my visits," Carmichael said. "I want to see as much as I can before I decide." Carmichael, who lists at 6-5, 295 pounds, made an excellent showing at the Los Angeles Scout.com combine on May 7.
With at least 14 offers from some of the country's top programs, it is easy to say that Irving (Texas) wide receiver/defensive end Ron "Hollywood" Brooks is definitely getting the star treatment. "Hollywood" has recently learned he has a realistic shot at Hollywood.
"I got a call from USC last week and they asked me how I would feel about an offer, would I take it ... would I maybe want to commit? I told them there was a very strong possibility I would," said Brooks, of MacArthur High School. "I was shocked ... I couldn't believe it. I didn't even think they knew about me. They said they were going to try to come by my school today (5/4) to talk with my coach, but he wasn't there, so I don't know if they did (offer) or not. They said they were looking at me for either wide receiver or defensive back ... they haven't decided.
"I love the Trojans. I've never been there, but I've watched them on TV a lot. I really was impressed after seeing them against Texas last year. USC is a powerhouse that will be around for a long time. I love that there is so much tradition and excellence there. If they offer, I'd be out there in a minute to visit the campus. They have always been on my list, but the offer would move them close to number one — if not number one."
One of the elite prospects from the Lone Star State, Brooks, a 6-0, 170 pounder with 4.5 forty speed, already holds offers from
Oklahoma,
Oklahoma State,
Florida,
Kansas,
Kansas State,
Iowa,
Iowa State,
Texas A&M,
LSU, Nebraska,
Wisconsin,
Purdue. His latest offers are from
Texas Tech and
Michigan State.
"My favorites right now are Texas, LSU, Florida, A&M, Oklahoma and now USC," Brooks said. "Texas (and USC) hasn't offered yet. I talked to the Texas coaches today and they said they haven't offered yet because they're still evaluating me ... but that I'm a high priority for them.
"I like LSU a lot. I have family down there. I really like the campus and the area. My chemistry teacher went there and she told me what a great school it is for academics too. The facilities are really nice and the coaches seem really great.
"Florida offered me about a month ago. They also offered me for wide receiver. I've never been there, but I'm planning to take a visit there soon. Florida is such a great program; with such great coaches…it's an honor that they want me. I've been watching the Gators on TV for a long time, so I'm really looking forward to my visit.
"A&M is also high up on my list," Brooks said. "I haven't been to the campus yet, but I've heard from my coach how crazy it is. The facilities, the campus, everything is supposed to be so nice there. The campus is about a four hour drive from my house, so I'm planning a going to see it for myself soon.
"Oklahoma was my first offer. I went down there for a visit and I loved it. The atmosphere was indescribable. Everything on the campus was so convenient and easy to get to. There is all this help for the players. The stadium and facilities were amazing. I'll more than likely take an official there.
"I want a place where I feel comfortable. Also, I don't want to redshirt my freshman year and the school has to offer a good business or computer science program. I'm hoping to visit every school I have an offer from so I can learn as much as I can about each one before I make a decision."
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