Grimm getting more looks

Offensive lineman Mike Grimm was one of the top players at the U.S. Army National Combine and it sounds like some major college football programs have taken notice. The Bethel Park (Pa.) standout already has offers from Pittsburgh, Virginia and Youngstown State.

"I've been seeing interest pick up a little bit since the combine," said the 6-foot-7, 315-pound Grimm. "Penn State, Alabama, Maryland, Georgia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Georgia Tech and Rutgers are the ones that really stick out in my mind."

"I like the atmosphere at Virginia Tech and Virginia in general," he said. "The offensive line coach is a big deal for me because I'll be spending most of my time with him.

"Coach Gattuso recruited my uncle to play at Pitt and, when the recruiting process started for me, Coach Gattuso was at Pitt and he is still recruiting me now at Maryland so family is playing a big part in this for me," Grimm said. "I'm also very comfortable with Coach Gattuso and I have family in Maryland.

"Alabama is a great program, a winning program," he said. "Every year they're either in the national championship or another BCS bowl. When you think college football you think Alabama.

"I also like the atmosphere of Penn State," said Grimm. "I really like how loyal the fans are. Even with everything that happened last year you can really see the loyalty of their fans. I really like the new coaching staff. I've had a bunch of contact with Coach O'Brien, Coach McWhorter and Coach London. It's also pretty close to home.

"I'm also in contact with West Virginia," he said. "A lot of their coaches have been switching schools but I'm still in contact a little bit with their offensive line coach."

Clearly, Grimm has a good idea of what he is looking for.

"I definitely want family feel," said Grimm. "I also want an offensive line coach that I feel comfortable with that I can talk with about things other than football. Obviously, I want to get good coaching too."

Grimm has taken a closer look at few schools.

"I visited Pitt, West Virginia, Penn State and Virginia," he said. "I'm going to go to Pitt's Junior Day and Penn State sometime soon. If a lot of the junior days I want to go to fall on the same day I may not go to any so that I don't show any favoritism yet.

The offseason looks like it will be a busy time for Grimm.

"I definitely want to visit Ohio State," Grimm said. "I haven't really been in contact with them yet but I'd definitely like to visit out there.

"I'm going to try to go to a few camps, maybe in Alabama, Ohio State, Pitt, West Virginia or Penn State," he said. "I may go to some camps but it may not be as many as I did before."

Grimm led Bethel Park to a 7-4 record last season.