Garner close to new offer

Pennsylvania athlete Manasseh Garner is sitting on five offers and it appears as though he is close to receiving a sixth. Who has their eyes on the 6-foot-2, 205-pound prospect?

College coaches have flocked to Pittsburgh (Pa.) Brashear throughout the spring to express an interest in Garner.

Garner has impressed coaches with his combination of size and speed, as well as his versatility. He has the time of frame that will allow for plenty of growth. At this point no one really knows what position he will end up at.

Maryland is recruiting Garner as a safety, while Pitt is recruiting him as a safety or an outside linebacker. Minnesota is recruiting him as an outside linebacker, while Toledo and Akron like him as both an outside linebacker and a wide receiver. He said he does not have a preference regarding what position he plays.

Pitt, Toledo, Akron, Minnesota and Maryland have offered Garner. Who else is close to extending a scholarship?

"Recently I heard Wisconsin will be offering soon," he said. "They told me to give them a ring and I did, but I just got the answering machine. Hopefully I can talk to them soon."

Whether the Badgers offer may depend on whether Garner makes a trip to Madison this summer. He said he would like to do that, as well as take visits to Maryland, Toledo and perhaps Akron.

"These days I'm just doing speed training and weight lifting. I do speed training three times a week and weight lifting every other day. A whole lot of coaches have come by the school.

"I'm going to start narrowing things before the football season and then I'll commit later during or after the season. It's all pretty even right now. I want to play this season and make sure I know what I'm going to be doing. The official visits are really going to help me out."