Cushing coming off two monster games

Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic linebacker Brian Cushing is coming off back-to-back monster games. He's also been following college football on Saturdays. Has his recruiting changed?

"Right now my two favorites are Notre Dame and Southern Cal," said the 6-foot-4, now 232-pound Cushing. "Notre Dame had a tough loss to Boston College, they seem to have trouble with them, but I think they're a great program with excellent tradition and are headed in the right direction.

"USC is the top team in the country and will probably have a chance to win a national title for the next few years."

In addition to Notre Dame and USC, Cushing is looking at others.

"Since I don't need to take an official visit to Notre Dame because my unofficial was so great and I got to do everything there, I have more than three teams left on my list for visits," he explained. "Miami, Louisville and Virginia are definites along with USC and the fifth one will be to either Boston College, Maryland or Oklahoma."

Cushing has only one official visit set right now, a trip to Louisville set for Dec. 17.

"I'll set up the others soon," he said. "Right now I'm trying to help my team get back to No. 1 in the state."

Cushing had 32 tackles and five sacks two weeks ago and just tallied 18 tackles, two sacks, two blocked punts and one interception this past weekend. He also ran for a 28-yard touchdown (five carries for 57 yards) and caught a 55-yard touchdown pass as well.

"I'm healthy again," said Cushing, who nursed an ankle injury earlier in the season. "We're 5-2 now and 5-0 since I came back. I have around 75 tackles in four full games."