Aka closing in on double digit offers

The recruiting momentum is building for Indianapolis (Ind.) Pike defensive end Pierre Aka as the 6-4, 265-pound prospect heads into the summer camp season. Nine schools have offered Aka with more planning to evaluate him for an offer at their summer camps.

"In the last three weeks I think 15 schools have come by," Aka reported. "Almost every single one of them want to see me at camp. Most of them do not know where I can play because I could play tight end, defensive line and offensive line. In order to offer, they have to know which position to offer at so they can slot me in on their recruiting board."

Considering the time requirements necessary to attend camps, Aka has chosen a handful of schools to work out for this summer.

"I definitely will be at Indiana, Northwestern, Cincinnati and Michigan," Aka said. "I am trying to only go to a few, but not too many. We have football all summer, and before I play for those colleges I have to play for my school. I feel that is more important [this summer]."

The nine schools that have already offered Aka are Akron, Arkansas State, Ball State, Bowling Green, Miami (Ohio), Northern Illinois, Toledo, Western Kentucky and Western Michigan. Which one he will ultimately choose comes down to several factors.

"I think most of the schools that are really big academically, I really see those schools as something [appealing]," Aka said. "Any school that is really into me is also important. The longer this process goes, the easier it is to see which schools really want you."

What position a school is recruiting him for his less important to Aka. He played primarily tight end as a junior, but is mostly being looked at for offensive and defensive line.

"A lot of schools have said defensive line and a lot of schools say I have a frame of an offensive lineman," Aka said. "I have not played for a long time, so they can put me at any position."

Schools have time to evaluate which side of the football Aka projects best in their system because the Indianapolis prospect plans to take his time reaching a final decision.

"It's going to happen after my senior season," Aka said. "I want to use my five official visits and that's what I plan to do. If I find one school that I really fall in love with, then I could very well commit earlier than that."

A native of Lyon, France, Aka played his freshman and sophomore seasons at Bowie High School in Arlington, Tex. Since transferring to Pike High before his junior year, Aka has formed a close relationship with quarterback Aloyis Gray and the two make many of the recruiting trips together.