Emerging Brewer talks recruiting

Jacksonville (Fla.) Bartram Trail cornerback Xavier Brewer has emerged as one of the most highly-recruited defensive back prospects in the country. In an exclusive interview with Rivals.com on Sunday night, Brewer talked about his rise as a prospect, along with the schools that currently are in his top five.

"I'm really excited about (all the attention)," he said. "Now I'm just trying to find the place that fits me the best and the place I can fit in at."

Brewer has a current top five.

"Miami, Georgia, Florida, LSU and Alabama," Brewer said.

Brewer visited Miami recently and came away impressed with several aspects of the Hurricanes' program.

"I was in Miami last weekend from Thursday until Saturday," Brewer said. "I went to spring practice and went into (Canes head coach) Randy Shannon's office. He's sort of an old-school coach and will bring his hard-working ways to his players. They will be more disciplined next year, so they are on their way back.

"They always put out top NFL players. Coach Shannon has been there so nothing is really going to change. They are on their way back up."

Several things stand out to Brewer about Georgia, which he also paid a visit to recently.

"They have a good scheme on defense," Brewer said. "I got to talk with coach Mark Richt and he's a cool guy. (Bulldogs defensive coordinator) Willie Martinez is real intense on the field, but he will complement you when you do something good and I like that. Georgia also has top-notch facilities and their fan base is very good."

The defending national champion Florida Gators also are strongly in the mix.

"They are another school with an incredible fan base," Brewer said. "You go into that town (Gainesville, Fla.) and it's all about the Gators. Even here in Jacksonville everything is about the Gators. (Florida cornerbacks coach and recruiting coordinator) Chuck Heater is kind of a more mellow guy. He knows the game and he teaches you a lot of things.

"The facilities at Florida also are top of the line and they are just getting better with the new weight room and things like that."

Brewer has yet to visit LSU, but the Tigers have his attention.

"They always play an aggressive style of defense," he said. "(LSU head coach) Les Miles, I've talked to him and I like him. I'm just waiting to take a visit there. They are nationally-ranked every year and just have a great overall program. Plus, their fans and their game atmosphere is great."

New Alabama head coach Nick Saban is a big reason that Brewer is interested in the Tide.

"Coach Saban is coming in and he's big on the secondary," he said. "Also, (Alabama assistant) Kirby Smart being a former defensive back, he knows how to coach my position.

"I can tell they are really going to turn it around. Coach Saban will turn that program around. Plus, their stadium is big and they have a real good fan base. I am definitely looking forward to taking a visit there."

Brewer said that the Crimson Tide and LSU will "definitely" get visits at some point.

The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder added that Georgia Tech, Clemson and South Carolina are the three other programs in contention at this time. He plans to visit Clemson for the Tigers spring game. His high school teammate, quarterback Kyle Parker, already is committed to Clemson.

Brewer has offers from all of the schools he is currently considering, plus Southern California, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Illinois and others.

The Fighting Irish were the most recent to offer, jumping in the mix last week.

"That's a really prestigious school there," Brewer said. "They go way back with all the national championships in the past. With (head coach) Charlie Weis, everything is going to turn around with them."

Comfort level will be huge for Brewer when he makes a final decision.

"I really just want to go where I feel more comfortable and the scheme of the defense is really going to be important and going to help out," he said.

Brewer, who had 65 tackles during his junior year, talked about why he felt so many schools were after him.

"I think I'm a playmaker and I make big plays in big situations," he said. "I feel like with everything, even kick returning, I can make the big play.

"I'm just a playmaker really."

Brewer will attend the Tallahassee NIKE Camp April 22 on the campus of Florida State University.