Auburn, Bama among new offers for DE

Coalmont (Tenn.) Grundy County defensive end Kevin Mainard has seen his stock rise considerably this summer.

Mainard (6-4, 265, 4.7) has received scholarship offers from Auburn, Alabama, South Carolina, Wake Forest, Vanderbilt and Southern Miss. He is also receiving heavy interest from Tennessee, Florida, Georgia and Nebraska.

“I went to Tennessee’s senior camp,” he said. “It was great. I really enjoyed it, and they seemed to really like me. Coach Caldwell, their defensive ends coach, said they were going to be watching me close. They want to come down and see me play this year before they decide to offer. He said they’re only offering two defensive ends, and I’m one of the main guys they’re looking at.”

Asked about his current favorites, Mainard singled out the Vols and Tigers.

“Tennessee and Auburn are my top two,” he said. “I really like both of those a lot. Tennessee is home. I grew up here and always followed them. I love the atmosphere there. Auburn is a great program, too, and they’ve already offered. It’s pretty close to home, and I have some family down there.”

Mainard said he doesn’t have a timetable for a decision.

“I definitely want to take some visits,” he said. “I’m not in a hurry or anything.”

As a junior, Mainard recorded 111 tackles, 12 sacks and four forced fumbles to earn all-region honors. He’s also a solid student, maintaining a 3.4 GPA and an 18 on the ACT. Although those figures would qualify him, he plans to take the test again in hopes of receiving a higher score.