Cottrell still committed, but taking visits

Eden Prairie, Minn., three-star linebacker Jack Cottrell committed to Boston College before the spring evaluation period began in April. That commitment is still intact, but Cottrell has been able to visit local schools in recent months.

"I have been to one [Minnesota] Gopher game this year and one Iowa State game," Cottrell said. "I am still solid in my commitment to BC, but both of those schools are great schools and if anything happened to my scholarship out there I would definitely look at those schools more closely."

The most recent of those trips happened just this past weekend when he made the three-hour drive down to Ames to see Iowa State play.

"I was actually down there [Saturday] for the Baylor game… it was a good game," Cottrell said. "I had been down there one time in early August and got a quick tour of their facilities.

"It's a great school down there, obviously. They have a great football program and just put in a new football complex with weight room and locker room. I'm still committed to BC right now, but they would probably be my second choice.

Cottrell has scheduled his official visit with Boston College for the weekend of Nov. 10 to see the Eagles host Notre Dame. His excitement about playing for Boston College remains high.

"It hasn't changed too much," Cottrell said. "I guess it has been seven months, but it doesn't feel that long. It feels like I was just out there last month… time is moving pretty fast."

The end of Cottrell's prep career is fast approaching as well, but there is at least one more week left in the season. After a 21-point victory this past weekend, Cottrell's Eden Prairie team improved to 7-2 on the season and advanced to this weekend's sectional finals. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Cottrell plays middle linebacker and expects to stay there in college, but feels he could move to outside linebacker if needed.

"I feel like I have improved a lot in getting to plays faster this year," Cottrell said. "My speed improved a little bit and I'm just more comfortable after another year playing linebacker because last year was my first playing the position."