Fort Myers OL Gets First Two Offers

Fort Myers-Estero offensive lineman Derrick Morse has received his first two scholarship offers.

"Everything is going good right now," Morse said. "I've got a couple offers from Clemson and USC (South Carolina).

"(Clemson) Coach (Rick) Stockstill called me and then he came down to one of our practices," Morse said. "He wrote a note to me and in the note he said, 'I liked what I saw and when I was watching tape and we are definitely offering a scholarship."

One of the South Carolina assistant coaches informed Morse's head coach that they are offering him.

"Actually he came to our school and talked to our coach and my coach told me," Morse said. "He said that if it doesn't work out with Florida they'd like to offer me a scholarship."

Morse (6-4, 305) was aware of at least 20 schools who have stopped by Estero High School this month to watch practices. Florida head coach Ron Zook has attended a practice as well as asssistants from Clemson, Auburn, Florida State, Michigan, Georgia Tech, and Oklahoma.

So far Derrick has received phone calls from North Carolina, Clemson, Northwestern, UConn, and Dartmouth.

Morse has changed his attitude regarding the recruiting process a little bit. Last month Morse said that Florida was his favorite team but now he's going to keep an open mind about all the schools recruiting him. He doesn't have a particular favorite but he does have a list of schools that he is interested in that also are showing interest in return.

"Actually, I don't have a favorite," Morse said. "I'm pretty much keeping it open. Probably I'd say right now Oklahoma, Clemson, North Carolina, Miami, and Michigan. I don't know, it's hard to say. When they're interested in you, you start getting interested in them. Like a month ago I had my heart set on (UF). That's all I was thinking pretty much. But now with all of these other schools I'm not sure."

Derrick Morse plans on attending the Down & Dirty Linemen camp in Lakeland this summer. He also will take a few unofficial visits.

"I'm going to take a little roadtrip and stop by some schools," Morse said. "We'll go all the way up to Penn State and visit Clemson, North Carolina, Virginia, and Florida State on the way up."

As far as making a decision, Morse doubts he will make an early commitment anywhere.

"I think I'll probably wait it out and see what I get," Morse said. "The schools I like change every week."

Estero plays at Fort Myers High School for a spring jamboree this Friday.