Clear favorite for 2012 LB

Pittsburgh (Pa.) Peabody junior linebacker Jaylen Coleman was outstanding last fall and he's on the verge of seeing his recruitment take off.

Toledo verbally offered the 6-foot-1, 220-pound linebacker in January, and verbal offers often come in bunches. Don't be surprised to see Coleman pick up others.

Coleman camped at Toledo over the summer and performed exceptionally well, so the coaches monitored his progress and were satisfied with what they saw.

"I've also got interest from Wisconsin, Nebraska and Penn State," Coleman said. "Last week I had three schools come in on the same day -- Eastern Michigan, Penn State and UConn."

Coleman admits one school is the clear early favorite.

"Joe Rudolph is recruiting me from Wisconsin and he's come by my school," he said. "My favorite right now is Wisconsin. I've looked into them and my older brother goes there, Manasseh Garner. He's not my brother by blood but that's what I call him. We're close. If they were to offer me I would be fully committed."

Last fall Coleman recorded more than 90 tackles on defense and was a first team all-city selection in Pittsburgh.

He also showed off his skills as a running back in a game late in the year, carrying the ball five times for 136 yards.

Coleman said his best time in the 40-yard dash in 4.67 seconds.