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Conner staying patient

Three-star defensive end James Conner out of Erie (Pa.) McDowell is sitting on six offers. The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder is waiting it out to see who else may offer as he starts to look ahead to more visits this fall.
"I haven't been to any camps for awhile," he said. "A lot of schools are waiting since grades were an issue. I finished summer school classes and I talk to my counselor all the time. My grades should be in place and I'll definitely be eligible. If I show out the first couple games of the season, it should start back up pretty good."
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Conner believes that a few specific schools will be keeping a close eye on him this fall.
"I know West Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina and Michigan State are waiting for more this fall," he said.
Conner claims a couple schools have caught his attention at this stage.
"I'm definitely going to visit Michigan State, they are the No. 1 offer I am waiting for," he said. "I did take an unofficial to Pittsburgh and I liked it a lot. I'm going to take an official out there. If Ohio State were to offer, I'd definitely take a visit there too."
What intrigues Conner about those three schools?
"Well, I was at the camp at Pittsburgh and I just like the way the coaches treated me," he said. "I fell in love with the fact they offered me on the spot. They treated me so well there and they have a great history of defensive ends there. It's close to home and I get free tickets to the games and my family can come see me play.
"As for Michigan State, one of my best friends Damion Terry committed there. It would be awesome to play with him and I've been a fan of them since I was young. I'll probably take an official there. They loved my highlight film; the only issue is that it's a great academic school. Also, the door may have opened for me because one of their defensive ends they were pursuing committed to Wisconsin.
"With Ohio State, they came to watch me practice in the summer. I didn't get a chance to get to their camp, as they wanted me too. They get the best of the best, and with my grades they'll probably say no to me."
The No. 12 prospect in Pennsylvania is likely eyeing a decision after his senior season.
Meanwhile, practice starts on Monday for Conner and McDowell.
"I need to prove a lot this year actually," he said. "With Greg Garmon going to Iowa this year, we ran the option and now I have to prove I can run and get all the carries this year. I've got to prove I've got the stamina and endurance. I also want to try to break my sack record of 12 sacks. I got that in five games last season. I'm going to try to get 20 this year."
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