Four-star LB close to trimming list

Four-star Bennettsville (S.C.) linebacker Robert Ayers feels like he’s making some progress in the recruiting process, but still hasn’t narrowed his list of schools much from earlier this summer.

“I’ve been getting a bunch of media guides in the mail, so that’s helped me learn more about the schools,” said the Marlboro County star. “I’ve been looking real close at the linebacker depth charts. That will be a big part of my decision. I want to go somewhere I can get on the field early.”

Ayers (6-3, 218, 4.68) said Florida, Florida State, Georgia and Tennessee currently lead the pack. Three other schools – Maryland, Ohio State and South Carolina – are still in the picture, but he labeled them as “iffy” at this point.

“But Maryland and Ohio State are sounding better every day with the kind of heat we have around here,” he added. “It’s been so bad, it’s got me thinking about going up north to play. I don’t like the hot weather.”

Ironically, one of his first unofficial visits of the fall will be into the heart of sweltering heat – The Swamp.

“I’m going down to Florida for their first game against San Jose State (on Aug. 30),” Ayers said. “I’ve been invited to a bunch of others, but I haven’t decided where else I’m going.”

Ayers, who is ranked the No. 9 inside linebacker in the country by Rivals.com, has more than two dozen scholarship offers coming off a junior season which saw him record 94 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, eight sacks and three interceptions. He is known as a intense competitor with sideline-to-sideline play-making ability.

In Marlboro County’s season opener last weekend, he demonstrated that, tallying 23 tackles in a 35-7 victory.

Academically, he maintains a 2.6 GPA and will take the ACT in October.