Early offers for Looney

Lake Worth (Fla.) defensive end James Looney has already received four early offers.

"Minnesota, South Florida, Marshall, and Bowling Green have offered me," Looney said. "They have all been sending me letters and South Florida invited me to their Junior Day (this weekend)."

The 6-foot-3, 260-pound defensive lineman plans to try and make his way up to Tampa to check out the University of South Florida this weekend. He talked about his correspondence with Skip Holtz' coaching staff.

"I think I am going to try to make it up there," Looney said. "I have just been talking to Coach (Kevin) Patrick, the defensive line coach, and he has been recruiting me. He has sent me a bunch of letters. They are just talking to me about the program."

Looney made his way on campus at USF this past season. He enjoyed the gameday atmosphere and more.

"I went up there for a game last year, when they hosted West Virginia on a Thursday night," Looney said. "I liked it when I was there. I think it is a real nice school. You get to play in an NFL stadium and you get that NFL atmosphere. So it was real good."

South Florida isn't the only school trying to get Looney on campus.

"Minnesota has been talking me a lot," Looney said. "I have been talking to Coach (Rob) Reeves a lot. He has just been telling me about the program and trying to get me to come up for a camp."

In addition to the four schools that have offered, Looney is hearing from a number of other schools.

"Clemson, West Virginia, Boston College, Florida State, and Miami have been sending me stuff," Looney said. "I feel like Boston College is the closest to offering me."

Looney's older brother, Joe Looney, went through the recruiting process a few years ago before signing with Wake Forest. The younger Looney said he learned from watching his older brother experience the process.

"What I learned is to have fun," Looney said. "Joe just told me to go to the right school, right atmosphere, and wherever you feel at home at. I would like to get into a school that has a really, really good education system so I can come out with a great degree. I also want to be prepared to play at the next level."

Looney has played offensive line and defensive line for Lake Worth. He says he prefers defense and would like to play on that side of the ball in college.