Drew picking up even more offers

Ray Drew already had one of the more impressive offer lists among 2011 prospects but things got even better for the Thomasville (Ga.) Thomas County Central defensive end in the past few days as Notre Dame, LSU and Southern Cal offered.

The Irish got involved Thursday and Drew said his talks with Notre Dame defensive line coach Mike Elston have been going well.

"I don't really know much about them other than the movie Rudy," Drew said. "I know it's based on the Christian beliefs and that's one thing I like about the school.

"Coach Mike Elston is the one I talk to from there and he has a great personality from what I picked up on when I talked to him and they say the first impression is the most important one and he made a good first impression."

Drew, a 6-foot-5, 236-pounder, dominated last weekend at the BadgerSports Elite Lineman Challenge in New Jersey and was considered the top player at the event by Rivals.com.

Whether it was that performance that put LSU and Southern Cal over the edge or just good timing, Drew said he doesn't know but the Tigers offered Monday and the Trojans sent a scholarship Tuesday. Both national powerhouses will receive serious consideration from the Georgia standout.

"From what I hear their game days are awesome (at LSU) and I'd like to get over to one of those someday," Drew said. "Their tradition for winning, they don't seem to have a problem with winning, and also with it's location being in Louisiana I bet it's a big party in New Orleans right now with the Saints winning."

Southern Cal will also get a serious look. Drew said he wants to see how first-year coach Lane Kiffin handles the program and he added "USC is USC" which means an offer from the Trojans cannot be taken lightly.

"I'm going to keep a close eye on Southern Cal," Drew said. "It's Southern Cal, I can't turn that one down. USC is USC, they've always had winning seasons.

"They won a national title not too long ago. They have a good program over there and now I'm just waiting to see what Lane Kiffin and coach (Ed) Orgeron and Monte Kiffin are going to do with that program."

Many believe Florida State is the frontrunner for Drew but he continues to say every school is going to get a serious look. The Seminoles, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Auburn, North Carolina and many others have offered.

Drew, who might attend Florida's junior day this weekend but also has a speaking engagement at a church Sunday, said he has 19 total offers and is starting to trim down his list but is not ready to announce a top five. For now, he's going to keep that information to himself.

"I've learned I can't wait until the last minute, that I have to start to narrow it down," Drew said. "But people have asked me for a top five and I tell them that I'm not going to release anything."