Bigelow talks about SEC offer

Brendon Bigelow had to postpone an interview Wednesday because he was jogging on a treadmill, nothing newsworthy for most prospects but a huge deal for the Fresno (Calif.) Central East running back who's rehabbing a torn anterior-cruciate ligament in his right knee.

"I'm jogging," Bigelow said. "I'm back on. Everything is going good. My knee feels really good. Every time I take that one step, every step I take basically feels really nice. I'm thankful for that. I was on that treadmill just going.

"Next is sprints and my doctor is super-excited to see where I'm at with my speed, to see if I lost my touch, to see how fast I'm going to be. My next visit with him will be in two more months so he's really excited for that."

Rehab is going well for Bigelow, a Washington commit, and so is recruiting. Tennessee recently offered the 5-foot-10, 180-pound speedster and the Volunteers join USC and Cal on Bigelow's offer list. Arizona and Arizona State are also showing interest. Tennessee offensive coordinator and running backs coach Jim Chaney has been in touch.

"It's pretty big," Bigelow said of his newest offer. "It's another one added to the board. What (Chaney) was talking about to me was how great of a player I was and how talented I am.

"He likes my highlights and he said I'm gifted and that I can play in the SEC and I could be a big part of the Tennessee program. Everybody down there is excited for me and they're trying to get me down there for a visit."

That won't happen soon, though, since Bigelow, who recently visited Cal, is looking forward to his first trip to Washington in late May.

The Fresno standout committed to the Huskies soon after his junior season but hasn't been to campus yet. Getting up to see Washington - his mother lives in the Seattle area - is an important next step.

"I'm not going to be able to go out (to Tennessee) yet because I'm going to Washington on May 21," Bigelow said. "I have my plane ticket. I'm so excited. I cannot wait. I waited for a lot of months and I committed to the team and I haven't been up there yet. It's going to be a big relief."

Bigelow finished with 1,327 yards and 20 touchdowns last season, his highlight tape just a few examples of his talents at running back. He's slowly getting back into football shape, slowly making sure his knee is ready for a big senior season - and the best news maybe is that recruiting has not slowed down at all.