4 offers so far for Borne

When looking for a college, Reserve, La., East St. John defensive tackle Gerron Borne has a few specific things at the top of his wish list.

"The first thing is a good graduation rate," he said. "That's No. 1. The second thing, a really good coaching staff so I can have a bond with the coaches. The other thing is environment."

To date, the 6-foot-3, 275-pound Borne, a 2012 Rivals250 watch list member, has four offers. They've come from Illinois, Memphis, Pittsburgh and Tennessee (the first to offer last fall). Other schools, such as Clemson, Colorado, Florida and LSU have shown interest, he said.

"I've been hearing from a good bit of schools," Borne said. "I'm open to all right now."

That said, one program has stood out thus far.

"Tennessee," Borne said. "I like everything about Tennessee. It's pretty close to home. They need defensive tackles. They play the 4-3 [defense] and that's what I am in. I want to stay in the 4-3 and play the three-technique [position]. It's a good school with a good graduation rate. Another thing, it's in the [Southeastern Conference]."

Borne has never been to Knoxville, Tenn. But he said he knows people who have lived there and they tell him "it's a nice city, a friendly town."

"I'm probably trying to make it there in April," Borne said.

Thus far, Borne has taken only one unofficial visit this year, and that was to nearby LSU.

"I went to LSU for junior day," he said. "They're recruiting me. I heard something from them a few weeks ago. They said they'd get back with me. Right now, I'd say Pittsburgh and Tennessee are recruiting me the hardest. Illinois is just coming along."