First two offers in for Battle

The first two scholarship offers are in for Delray Beach (Fla.) American Heritage cornerback Dominique Battle as two Division I-A programs joined the hunt for the 6-foot, 165-pounder this week. Battle also feels like two programs, one from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the other from the Big Ten, are close to offering.

"Army came to practice yesterday," Battle said. "Coach John Mumford from Army stopped by. He said that he liked how I practice. The next morning he came in and talked to me for about an hour and he offered me."

There is no doubt that the offer from the Black Knights had an impact on Battle's recruitment.

"Army is definitely a great academic school and that's something I'm looking for," he said. "Army also teaches you leadership. That's one of the things they told me about Army."

A visit to West Point could be in the works.

"I probably will take a visit after the season next year," he said. "They invited me for an official visit."

Local Sun Belt program Florida International also jumped in the mix this week.

"Florida International head coach Mario Cristobal came to see practice (Friday) and after he left (FIU assistant) Phil Galiano sent me a text about 30 minutes after practice to say coach really liked the way I played and that they are offering."

Battle visited FIU for the Golden Panthers' spring game and liked what he saw.

"FIU is trying to build something big," he said. "Most of their coaches are from Miami. They know what it takes to build a championship team. When I went to their spring game, I noticed that they definitely have some talent over there. They had some guys drafted in the NFL draft this year."

Still other schools are recruiting Battle, though they have yet to pull the trigger on an offer.

"Wake Forest and Northwestern are coming in next week," he said.

Eric Washington is recruiting Battle for the Wildcats while Ray McCartney is leading the charge for the Deacons.

"I definitely have interest (in both schools)," Battle said. "Northwestern has Ivy League-like academics and they are in the Big Ten, which is a great conference. Wake actually beat Georgia Tech in the ACC title game and they are also big on academics."

In addition to spring practice, Battle has been working on his speed. He recently ran a 4.49-second laser-timed 40-yard dash at the LRS Combine on April 20 in Fort Lauderdale.