Hawkeyes, Cards see Bynes

Rivals250 linebacker Josh Bynes played host to coaches from Iowa and Louisville on Monday night. The Lauderdale Lakes (Fla.) Boyd Anderson standout spoke with Rivals.com about the in-home visits, a forthcoming visit from Auburn and a weekend official visit to South Carolina.

"It's down to Auburn, Iowa, South Carolina and Louisville," Bynes said. "These are my top four schools. Louisville just left my house and Iowa came earlier today."

Monday night was the first time Bynes had the chance to sit down face-to-face with new Cardinals head coach Steve Kragthorpe.

"We talked about what Louisville and what I really thought about Louisville," Bynes said. "We talked about what schools I am down to and what I thought about each of those schools."

The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder visited U of L during the weekend of Dec. 15.

"I was very impressed with Louisville (when I visited)," Bynes said. "At the beginning I was doubting Louisville because I thought Kentucky and that it was probably out in the country. When I went up there, it opened my eyes a lot about them. There are a lot of Florida players on the Louisville roster and I can see why.

The Hawkeyes brought their entire defensive staff and head coach Kirk Ferentz.

"I talked to the middle linebacker coach who is also the defensive coordinator," Bynes said. "They really want me and two of my other teammates (defensive end Patrick Grant and cornerback Moses Jenkins). They want an opportunity for us to come to their school and make it happen a lot together. We all have a chance to come up there and play early."

Is it paramount for Bynes to play with his two high school teammates in college?

"I'm not going to say it's not important," he said. "Whatever school fits me the best, that's where I am going to go. Wherever Patrick and Moses feel is best for them, that's where I want them to go."

The Auburn Tigers have an in-home visit with Bynes on the horizon.

"Auburn comes in Thursday," he said. "I talked to coach Eddie Gran Thursday and texted and talked with coach Tommy Tuberville. I still like Auburn and enjoyed my visit over there."

Gran, who works Broward County, Fla., perhaps better than any other out-of-state Southeastern Conference recruiter, is the recruiter of record for Bynes.

This weekend, Bynes will take his final official visit, to South Carolina.

"I'm not sure what to expect when I get up there. I am just going to expect whatever comes my way when I get up there."

Running backs coach Robert Gillespie is recruiting Bynes for the Gamecocks.

"He's a very good guy," he said. "We've bonded a good bit during this process. I'm very comfortable."

South Carolina head coach Steve Spurrier already has had his in-home visit with Bynes. Bynes reiterated that he will make his decision on National Signing Day. There is a possibility that Grant and Jenkins also will announce at that time.

Bynes is the nation's sixth-ranked inside linebacker prospect and is a four-star rated recruit.